Tony Romo's Nine-Year CBS Career Ends After OWI Arrest and No Contest Plea

An Abrupt End to a Celebrated Broadcasting Career

Tony Romo will not return as an NFL game analyst for CBS Sports, the network announced on Friday, October 2, after he was arrested in July on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated. The departure closes the book on one of the more surprising second acts in sports media history — a former quarterback who reinvented himself as one of the most talked-about voices in the NFL broadcast booth, only to see it all unravel in a single summer night in Wisconsin.

Romo joined CBS in 2017, shortly after his 13-year career with the Cowboys ended, and was immediately placed on the No. 1 NFL broadcasting team. His enthusiasm and ability to call out plays before they happened made him an instant star in broadcasting. In 2020, CBS and Romo agreed to a 10-year contract for $180 million. That deal, and that career, are now over.

The Arrest That Changed Everything

The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback was arrested after a traffic stop in Milwaukee on July 23. Court records showed that one of the arresting officers said he detected a "strong odor of an alcoholic beverage" on Romo's breath. Romo performed poorly on field sobriety tests and was taken into custody and later released. Romo had reportedly been on his way to "grandma and grandpa's" house after participating in the Wisconsin State Amateur golf tournament.

Romo pleaded no contest on September 1 and had his driving privileges revoked for six months. He was also ordered to have an ignition interlock device installed on any vehicle owned, registered or operated by him, attend and complete an alcohol assessment program, and pay a $784 fine. CBS placed him on indefinite leave and spent weeks publicly weighing its options before Friday's announcement made the split official.

Romo Opens Up About His Struggles

In a statement on the same day as he pleaded no contest to the charges, Romo said he had developed a reliance on pain medication after multiple back surgeries stemming from injuries sustained during his playing career. He said efforts to get off those medications led to an "over-reliance" on alcohol. It was a candid and sobering admission from a man who had spent years projecting confidence and charisma on national television every Sunday.

Romo said in an Instagram statement, "The past month has been difficult, but it has also been personally significant. It has required me to confront and own my mistakes fully — to the Lord, to myself, to my family and now to the public." He added that he plans to "use this time to take a break, something I've never done before, and focus on my health and my family before moving on to my next opportunity."

What Comes Next for CBS — and for Romo

CBS Sports confirmed that J.J. Watt will continue to team up with Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson as the lead NFL broadcasting trio, and that all other teams will remain unchanged, including Ian Eagle, Ross Tucker, and Evan Washburn. Watt, a former NFL defensive star in his own right, stepped into the role when Romo went on leave before the season and has held it through the first weeks of the 2026 campaign.

For Romo, the road back to a major broadcast role — if he seeks one — will be long. At 46, he is far from finished, and his talent for breaking down the game was never really in question. CBS Sports president David Berson acknowledged the weight of the decision, stating, "In making this decision, we had to consider the impact on our image and our brand." That calculus ultimately proved more powerful than nine years of goodwill. Whether Romo can rebuild his reputation and land another prominent platform will be one of the more compelling storylines in sports media to watch in the months ahead.