Tony Romo on Leave After OWI Arrest, J.J. Watt Steps In

CBS has announced that Tony Romo will be on leave until further notice following his arrest for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. J.J. Watt, former Houston Texans defensive lineman, will join the CBS NFL broadcast team alongside play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson. This development indicates Romo’s absence may extend into the regular season.

Romo’s long-term future with CBS is now uncertain, following not only his arrest but also previous concerns highlighted by OutKick. Romo, pictured during the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in 2026, signed a 10-year, $180 million contract in 2020. Changes at CBS, now part of David Ellison’s Paramount Skydance, could impact his position.

Ellison, son of Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, has made significant changes since acquiring CBS, including appointing Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief of CBS News. He has also overseen Paramount’s recent acquisition of UFC rights in a $7.7 billion deal. This aggressive move has led the NFL to anticipate renewed negotiations with Ellison, who is known for resetting market standards.

Despite Romo’s hefty contract, executives may reconsider his role, especially with Larry Ellison being the sixth-richest person globally with a net worth of $203 billion. Concerns about Romo’s performance, including lack of preparation and forced banter, have widened the gap between him and other lead NFL analysts like Troy Aikman and Cris Collinsworth.

Ellison’s ambitions may not align with allowing Romo to become a distraction during CBS’s first Super Bowl under his leadership. The network paid a premium for UFC rights, and leaving Romo in place might seem counterproductive if he doesn’t improve.

Romo’s future relies on whether he can enhance his performance this season. J.J. Watt’s promising debut as a color commentator could pose a challenge for Romo if Watt receives positive feedback. If Watt performs well while Romo struggles, CBS might face a tough decision before broadcasting Super Bowl LXII next season.

The comparison can be made to a struggling starting quarterback who gets injured: if the backup excels, history shows the position could change hands despite contractual obligations. While CBS has not made any definitive public statements, Romo’s future is now uncertain.