Cowboys legend Tony Romo out at CBS after July drunk-driving arrest

Tony Romo, the legendary former quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, has parted ways with CBS Sports after a July drunk-driving arrest. The network announced on Friday that Romo, 46, will not return for the 2026 NFL season. Romo was initially taken off the air as the lead color analyst prior to the start of the season. He was arrested on July 23 in Wisconsin following a traffic stop where he was driving unsafely.

Romo initially refused to take a breathalyzer test and then performed poorly on subsequent tests. He was subsequently booked for suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence and later released. CBS promoted J.J. Watt to the lead NFL announce team alongside Jim Nantz, replacing Romo. Romo had four years and $72 million left on his contract.

The network expressed gratitude for Romo's contributions over the past nine years and wished him well. Romo had previously acknowledged his actions in August, citing a dependence on pain medications for his back pain that led him to use alcohol as a substitute. He expressed his intention to return to CBS. However, soon after CBS's statement, Romo said he was taking a break to focus on his health and family.

Despite his fall from grace, Romo remains a well-known figure in the NFL, and future opportunities are expected for him as more networks and streaming platforms compete for the NFL market.