NFL analyst Tony Romo placed on leave by CBS Sports following arrest

By Liam Tremblay — 31 July 2026 — 3 min read

Tony Romo, a prominent NFL analyst, has been placed on leave from his role at CBS Sports following his arrest on charges related to operating a vehicle while intoxicated. The network announced the decision on Friday morning, stating that Romo is on leave until further notice.

The circumstances surrounding the leave, including whether it was a mutual agreement or imposed by CBS, remain unclear. An industry source indicated that CBS is preparing for an extended leave for Romo.

Details of the Arrest and Legal Proceedings

Romo’s arrest occurred a week prior to the network’s announcement. Deputies from the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office stopped Romo on Interstate 43 after observing unsafe passing. Authorities reported that Romo displayed signs of impairment and performed poorly on field sobriety tests. He also refused a preliminary breath test.

Deputies stated they found an open bottle of alcohol inside Romo’s vehicle. Romo was cited for first-offense operating while intoxicated (OWI), unsafe passing, and having an open intoxicant in a motor vehicle. He was subsequently booked and released, with a court appearance scheduled for September in Wisconsin.

Romo, who is 46, became CBS Sports’ lead NFL game analyst on April 4, 2017, the same day he announced his retirement from the NFL after being released by the Dallas Cowboys. He replaced Phil Simms, who had been the network’s top game analyst since 1998, and was paired with play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson.

Impact on CBS Sports and Romo’s Contract

In Romo’s absence, J.J. Watt, a former Houston Texans defensive lineman, will step in as the lead analyst. Watt will join Nantz and Wolfson on the No. 1 CBS announcing team. An industry source noted that Watt has been informed his addition to the team is indefinite, suggesting a potentially long-term change.

The first CBS game scheduled for this NFL season is a preseason matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles on August 28, a primetime game set to begin at 8 p.m.

Romo’s contract with CBS Sports, signed in 2020 for 10 years and $180 million, has been described by one top sports media executive as potentially the “worst contract in media history.” The contract includes a morals clause, which networks can invoke if a star’s conduct negatively impacts their brand. Romo is slated to receive $72 million over the next four years under the terms of this deal.

The incident comes at a critical time for CBS, with an NFL seminar for on-air talent and production staff scheduled in less than two weeks, followed by the first Sunday of the NFL regular season on September 13, featuring a showcase game between the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers. Romo was expected to be present at these events. His court date in Wisconsin is scheduled for September 21.

On September 27, CBS is scheduled to broadcast a late-afternoon marquee game from Brazil between the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens, an event Romo was also expected to cover. His potential return to his role is uncertain, with questions arising about when and how he might rejoin the network, particularly with CBS set to air a Super Bowl in February 2028.

Prior to his current contract, Romo and Nantz were often compared to broadcasting legends Pat Summerall and John Madden. However, in recent seasons, their performance has reportedly declined, with Romo sometimes appearing unprepared. For instance, in January, during a pregame show for a wild-card round game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills, Romo’s comment, “I’m telling you, they can win this game today,” drew criticism for its perceived vacuity.

The decision to sign Romo to such a substantial contract in 2020 was partly influenced by ESPN’s pursuit of his services. At that time, CBS aimed to secure Romo before negotiations for game packages began, viewing his presence as a strategic advantage against competitors. However, the current situation has led to renewed scrutiny of the contract’s long-term implications.

Source: foxnews.com