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J.J. Watt was not an upgrade over Tony Romo on Sunday afternoon. But he was solid enough that Romo should worry about keeping his $18 million-a-year job as CBS’s top NFL analyst.
Among the many storylines during Week 1 of the new NFL season was Watt stepping into the role of No. 1 game analyst alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson. It’s the media opportunity of a lifetime for the 37-year-old Watt, who’s only in the fourth year of his TV career.
The top NFL TV announcers at league media partners make tens of millions of dollars, are treated like kings, and typically have the career longevity of Supreme Court justices. Romo, for example, was entering his 10th season in the broadcast booth at CBS. Phil Simms, his predecessor, served 19 seasons. Cris Collinsworth has been NBC’s top color commentator for 18 years. Troy Aikman has been a No. 1 analyst for 26 years at ESPN and Fox.
But Romo’s world turned upside down when he was pulled over and arrested for driving under the influence in his home state of Wisconsin on July 23. The 46-year-old former Cowboys quarterback was placed on indefinite leave by CBS. In a statement, Romo said he pleaded no contest to the civil charges, admitted to an “over-reliance on alcohol,” and expressed hope he’ll return to CBS.
That, of course, will be up to CBS Sports president David Berson, who recently noted the Tiffany network has to fiercely protect its image and brand. TMZ’s embarrassing police-cam video of Romo failing a sobriety test could be enough for CBS to exercise a morality clause in his contract—and try to wriggle out of the remaining four years and $72 million on his current deal.
Enter Watt. The new No. 1 team of Watt-Nantz-Wolfson had a solid, if bumpy, debut during the Vikings’ 39-22 win over the Packers Sunday afternoon. But Romo already seemed like a memory. Maybe CBS demotes him to No. 2 with Ian Eagle. But it seems doubtful Romo will get his old No. 1 job back.
At the jump, Watt sounded nervous and over-prepared. He relied on too many tired clichés such as running “downhill” and the Vikings offense getting caught “behind the sticks.” Nantz had to carry the telecast.
When Packers receiver Christian Watson took it to the house for an 81-yard touchdown in the first quarter, a low-energy Watt muttered “Wow” a couple of times. When Vikings starting QB Kyler Murray went out with an injury in favor of journeyman Carson Wentz, it looked like a boring blowout for the Packers.
But a wild game can be a color commentator’s best friend. As Vikings-Packers developed into a shootout, the light went on for Watt.
His first big moment came at the end of the first half. After a Packers defender jumped offsides, Watt instantly recognized Wentz had a free play. “Take a shot,” he urged. Sure enough, Wentz drilled a 39–yard TD to Justin Jefferson. “He wants your shot. You got it for a touchdown,” yelled Nantz.
Watt said the play was “huge” for the struggling Minnesota offense. But it was a big moment for him too. From there, his commentary and energy improved.
The three-time Defensive Player of the Year expertly broke down stunts and line play. But my favorite Watt moment came in the third quarter. With the Vikings trailing 22–10, Myles Price of the Vikings ripped off a thrilling 68-yard kick return. But Watt immediately directed viewers to a devastating block by Minnesota running back DeeJay Dallas to free up Price for his big run.
“Watch DeeJay Dallas, this block right here. My goodness. That is old-school football right there,” exclaimed Watt. “Led with your shoulder, clean block. You can still play violent football—and do it cleanly—in 2026.”
That return set up a 16-yard TD pass from Wentz to T.J. Hockenson. It completely changed the game. The Vikings stormed back with 29 unanswered points. When it was all over, the Vikings were 1-0. And Watt had taken the first step toward claiming Romo’s lead analyst job alongside the legendary Nantz.
Don’t forget, Berson is the guy who personally recruited Watt for The NFL Today in 2023. He’s also the executive who promoted him to the No. 2 broadcast with Ian Eagle last season. And Berson’s the guy who just promoted his star hire into Romo’s job.
No, Watt wasn’t an improvement over Romo on Sunday in my book. There’s no way he could match Romo’s chemistry with Nantz after that duo spent nine years on air together. But Watt only has to convince a jury of one. And Berson seems firmly in Watt’s corner.
One of the odd things about the Romo scandal is how little public support he’s received from his peers. Typically, when on-air talents get in trouble, their colleagues, friends, and former teammates publicly rally around them. With the exception of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, that hasn’t happened. Romo just seems forgotten. Even his old teammate Terrell Owens hasn’t reprised his famous “that’s my quarterback” line for the embattled Romo.
Back in August, Berson said he was still “assessing” Romo’s future with “no timetable” for his return. But networks sometimes communicate in more passive-aggressive ways.
On Monday, CBS released its NFL announcers schedule for its next two weeks—and Romo’s name was nowhere to be found. Watt is penciled in on the No. 1 team for Steelers-Patriots on Sept. 20 and Cowboys-Ravens from Rio de Janeiro on Sept. 27. With CBS poised to broadcast Super Bowl LXII in Atlanta in 2028, Watt’s time may have come.
Romo was able to pull off 24 fourth-quarter comebacks in his Cowboys career. But if he’s able to regain his No. 1 job at CBS, that would be the biggest miracle of all.
