CBS Sports has placed its lead NFL game analyst, Tony Romo, on indefinite leave following his arrest for operating while intoxicated (OWI) in Wisconsin on July 23, 2026. The 46-year-old former Dallas Cowboys quarterback was pulled over, failed field sobriety tests, declined a breathalyzer, and was found with an open alcohol container in his vehicle. CBS issued a statement on July 31 announcing Romo’s leave without specifying a return date or disciplinary measures.

Romo, a prominent figure at CBS since 2017, was entering his 10th season working alongside play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson. He gained the nickname "Romostradamus" for his impressive predictive commentary during games and secured a lucrative 10-year, $180 million contract extension in 2020. However, in recent years, he faced growing criticism around his on-air performance and work ethic.

CBS has assigned JJ Watt to step up as the lead analyst with Nantz and Wolfson during Romo’s absence. Watt, who was part of CBS’s second-tier NFL broadcast team last season, received positive reviews for his work alongside Ian Eagle and is considered the most likely permanent replacement should CBS decide to terminate Romo’s contract. The network has indicated it will reveal its full NFL broadcast lineup for the 2026 season at a later date.

Financially, CBS could potentially save approximately $72 million from the remaining four years of Romo’s contract if it uses the OWI arrest as grounds for termination. To date, Romo has not publicly addressed the incident. This development marks a significant shift for CBS’s NFL coverage and introduces new dynamics in broadcast talent as the network moves forward into the football season.