With all of the high-stakes machinations and musical chairs being played out in the executive suites of Para–er, War–er, SKYDANCE–this week one could argue that the story that broke yesterday morning about another employee was not all that big a deal. But considering said employee was being seen by at least 20 million people most weeks–and frequently led straight into 60 MINUTES–I’d contend this item from CBS SPORTS’ Garrett Podell mattered a lot more to most ordinary folk:
CBS Sports announced on Friday that it is mutually parting ways with NFL analyst Tony Romo. “CBS Sports and Tony Romo have mutually agreed to part ways. We thank Tony for his contributions over the past nine years and wish him the best moving forward. Romo, a four-time Pro Bowl quarterback with the Dallas Cowboys, was arrested in a traffic stop in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 23, and he was charged with operating while intoxicated (OWI). He pleaded no contest on Sept. 1. The network placed Romo on leave on July 31 before a mutual parting of ways on Friday…
Romo began at CBS Sports for the 2017 NFL season and had been partnered with (Jim) Nantz throughout his time with the network…”JJ Watt will continue to partner with… Nantz and Tracy Wolfson on our lead NFL announce team for the rest of the season”… Watt joined CBS Sports in 2023, first as a member of The NFL Today for two seasons before partnering with Ian Eagle last year.
Do not shed tears for Romo; he has undoubtedly secured a decent chunk of the $72 million he was owed to step aside in a zero tolerance world despite already making personal headway over the past two months. What his faux pas did provide CBS was a chance to move forward themselves from someone who burst onto the broadcasting scene with even more fanfare than he did with the Cowboys but had noticeably deteriorated in the eyes of overreactive pundits long before his pre-season slip-up. Do recall what NEWSBREAK’s Fabricio Santos authored last January:
Tony Romo is likely relieved that CBS’s broadcasts for this season have ended, following heavy social media criticism of his commentary with Jim Nantz in 2025. The criticism, already notable during the regular season, intensified in the postseason as mistakes increased and analysis was seen as too simplistic. Romo had remained silent on this negative commentary until he was asked about it directly. On “The Pat McAfee Show” Tuesday, Romo explained his approach to handling negative feedback about his CBS Sports performance and the philosophy behind his on-air presence, offering insight into how he responds to criticism.
During the interview, the legend of the Dallas Cowboys (who ranks No. 6 in the PFSN Offense Impact metric with a B grade) stressed that his real-world interactions with fans are positive and often differ from negative online criticism. However, this perspective contrasts with reports on CBS executives’ concerns. PFSN echoed a report from The Athletic this week about some network executives’ concerns about its main commentator’s performance during the 2028 CBS Super Bowl broadcast.
Yeah, if a slew of online trolls impacted my bosses that much I’d have probably had an extra drink or two at some point myself. And if those same executives are still doomscrolling as much as they were they are likely aware that the early returns on Watt in the booth is not overwhelmingly positive either. TMSFN’s “Korman” relayed the polarization in the wake of last month’s season opener:
By the end of Sunday’s game, viewers had already split into two very different camps… Social media reaction began almost immediately. Some viewers were extremely impressed by Watt’s work and argued he sounded more natural in the booth than Romo. One fan wrote: “JJ Watt is SO much better on the mic than Tony Romo. Leave him with Jim Nantz.” Another viewer had a similar reaction. “JJ Watt is a way better listen than Tony Romo Hopefully this becomes permanent.”
The praise was hardly universal. A separate group of fans criticized Watt throughout the game and argued that his transition into the lead booth still looked unfinished. “JJ Watt has been atrocious,” one viewer wrote. Another added: “I wasn’t a big fan of Tony Romo but JJ Watt is a terrible announcer.”
One fan called for a broader discussion about Watt’s performance.
Not exactly what I’d call a projectable sample. But then again, I’m not a CBS executive hoping against hope that a) Skydance will still employ me in time for next year’s Super Bowl and b) those that make the cut will produce a broadcast well received enough to be on Roger Goodell’s nice list when the next round of bidding for games–likely with Netflix and Amazon seeking bigger chunks of their pie for a global audience could jack up the price well beyond even the Saudis’ slush fund of support.
So to those nervous nellies allow me to amplify what is already burdgeoing as a smouldering opinion cauldron. Yesterday THE CALIFORNIA POST’s Grace McCarron was the latest to drop this hint:
ESPN agreed to a whopping six-year, $108 million extension with “Monday Night Football” voice Joe Buck in September… Buck’s deal brought up questions for his partner, Troy Aikman, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the season. Should Aikman not be re-signed by ESPN, and Watt not continue on CBS’ lead team, CBS could be a potential destination for Aikman — though it would indicate the end of Buck and Aikman’s historic 25-year booth partnership, the longest in NFL history.
And her take was echoed by what ESSENTIALLY SPORTS’ Papiya Chatterjee teased yesterday evening:
Cowboys insider Mike Fisher suggested CBS turn their attention to targeting former quarterback and broadcasting veteran Troy Aikman. “A few more Romo-related quick takes: 1 – Yes, Jerry Jones would hire him in a second. Consultant, whatever,” Mike Fisher wrote on X. “2 – But … Romo says he needs time off for his health. So … taking a #Cowboys job would make that look like a lie. 3 – @NFLonCBS should start courting @TroyAikman NOW.
Aikman is in the final year of his five-year contract with ESPN, which is reportedly worth $90 million. He had previously hoped for a deal to be worked out before the 2026 season began. But the season is underway, and talks have hit a roadblock. What furthers the idea of a potential Aikman exit is that Buck’s contract has been renewed by ESPN, and he is set to be in the booth through 2032. The veteran broadcaster has expressed hope for Aikman to remain with ESPN.
All well and good, except Aikman can’t host a version of JEOPARDY! and after Buck–and irony of ironies McAfee– have been paid in Josh D’Amaro’s Disney World there’s only so many Disney Dollars to go around. If Jimmy Kimmel’s isn’t yet in the fold, can Aikman resonably expect a definitive answer sooner than later?
Aikman retired after 12 years as the first quarterback of the Jerry Jones era, leading the Cowboys to their most recent NFC championship games, Super Bowl appearances and championships. Romo was an unsigned free agent that came onto the scene two years into an ill-fated run led by a top draft pick named Quincy Carter. Carter’s three seasons in Dallas produced marginal results–a 16-14 overall record and a lone playoff appearance that turned out to be a loss. After serving as an apprentice under veterans Vinny Testaverde and Drew Bledsoe–both former quarterbacks elsewhere for Cowboys coach Bill Parcells-Romo eventually won the job in 2006 and put up solid regular seasons that Cowboys fans and especially Jones loved. At least from Setpember through December Cowboys Nation tended to forget about Aikman. Romo just never won enough when it mattered most–in January. And he sure didn’t add to his legacy in the last 21 months.
It would indeed be serendipitous–and a nice middle finger to an arch-rival–if Aikman could return to a prominent starting role in a quest for a different kind of championship bailing out Romo’s legacy this time around? Especially if Watt is living up to his surname with “da f-ck” following it in the eyes of those with the most invested emotionally and/or financially.
I bet they might recall, or at least resonate with, Quincy Carter. How ’bout them Cowboys, right?
Until next time…