At the beginning of the year, everyone was wondering whether Tony Romo would be back in his CBS seat after the lead team’s analyst lost his savvy Romostradamus touch. Now, we’re wondering when he will be back, as the network is set to try out its backup plan.

After the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback was arrested on OWI charges in Milwaukee last month, the network put him on an indefinite leave. Then, to cover two bases at once, they promoted JJ Watt to join Jim Nantz until further notice. Days after the official announcement, the NFL legend has finally opened up about the promotion.

“Haven’t said much because it’s not the circumstances you’d hope it would happen under, but I’m incredibly excited about this opportunity and look forward to working with a legendary team in Jim Nantz, Tracy Wolfson, Jim Rikhoff and the entire CBS lead crew,” Watt wrote in an X post. “See you in Minnesota!” 

Watt was preparing for his first call as a member of the lead team at CBS with his presentation open on his laptop and printed notes in front of him. But what’s interesting is that the network may have thought of bringing in Watt much before Romo was arrested. Just think about it…

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Over the last few seasons, Romo’s performance at the desk has been deteriorating. Yes, he came into the position with a bang as he predicted many plays before they even happened. It is important to note, however, that he had just retired from the league at the time and knew the teams and players well. In recent years, those predictions and that hard work put into preparation have all seemed to fade. Then we have Watt.

The NFL legend has seen a growing trajectory ever since he joined CBS. Last season, he was the network’s best analyst. And don’t take it from me, others agree, too:

 “He was kind of more of a wise guy, more down beat than Romo, but was a really, really good broadcaster,” The Ringer’s Bryan Curtis said earlier this week. 

Fans have come to love Watt’s genuine and deep analysis as well. Watt is stepping in as a three-time Defensive Player of the Year and five-time Pro Bowler. Bringing insights from a 12-year-long career as a player to the analyst’s table is something fans would definitely appreciate. Probably, that’s what the network thought as well and played its cards right on time.

Can Tony Romo return, or is CBS already planning his exit?

Maybe CBS thought of trying out Watt and Nantz’s pairing to keep him permanently on the lead team. It’s not hard to wonder that if the network feels Romo has embarrassed them with the arrest, they might go either of the two ways:

First, they might simply demote him. Romo could appear in special editions or be part of another team. Perhaps he would replace Watt’s position in booth two alongside Ian Eagle, which, by the way, is still open.

Second, if they feel like it, they could use the morals clause of his ten-year/ $180 million contract, which still has four more years remaining, and part ways for good. And here’s where it becomes a true possibility…

Romo has been teamed with Nantz for this long because the two share a friendship even outside the booth. They had a chemistry that is valuable to a network when they call a game. The keyword being: ‘had’.

As of recent, the duo has been more like a couple of broadcasters trying to handle separate situations instead of building off of each other’s comments. They say each other’s names, but the dialogue is simply not smooth. And if an old pairing already acts like a new one, why not just replace it? Watt and Nantz have already called a practice game together, and the veteran is already fond of the rather new face.

“This guy’s [J.J. Watt] got an incredible personality,” Nantz told Yahoo Sports. “He has an ease with which he approaches people. Just as you’ve probably seen in his two years in the studio and one year out on the road, JJ’s got the goods. He’s really good, and I’m excited to work with him for as long as it will be.” 

After CBS president David Berson announced the change for the Vikings vs Packers game, Jim Nantz refused to comment on Romo’s future. However, he admitted that he’d stay in touch with Romo despite his recent controversy. The network, though, is still not clarifying what exactly “until further notice” means.

“It’s an evolving situation and we are still assessing,” CBS Sports president David Berson said on Tuesday. “There is no timetable or final decision at this time.

“I hope you can respect and appreciate this is a personnel matter and a legal one for Tony, so I can’t speak to that aspect of things.”

Watt’s first assignment alongside Nantz will come on September 13, 2026, as the Green Bay Packers take on the Minnesota Vikings in Brazil. Likely, he will also call a Week 2 game on September 20 with the team as Romo is set to appear in court on September 21.

Replacing Romo will certainly be a daunting task for Watt. Whether Watt properly fills in the void left by Romo is something that only time will tell, but this might very well be an audition for Watt’s permanent position in Team 1.