Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo remains on leave from CBS Sports as the network works through what comes next for its longtime lead NFL analyst.
CBS Sports president David Berson opened the network’s NFL media day Tuesday in New York by addressing Romo, who was arrested last month in Wisconsin on suspicion of operating a vehicle while under the influence.
“It’s an evolving situation and we are still assessing,” Berson said, per ESPN. “There is no timetable or final decision at this time.”
Romo has been away from CBS since July 31, when the network placed him on leave until further notice.
With the regular season approaching, Berson said CBS also has to account for the people working on its NFL coverage who need to know how the broadcast crews will be arranged.
“We have to consider the impact on our image and our brand,” Berson explained. “That’s very important to us. The focus should be and needs to be on our presentation and this great product and not on any others.
“Fortunately, we have a deep bench and everybody is stepping up,” Berson continued.
Romo did not attend Tuesday’s media day.
What CBS Is Doing Without Tony Romo
CBS will move J.J. Watt into its lead NFL booth alongside Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson while Romo is away.
Their first assignment is scheduled for Sept. 13 when the Green Bay Packers host the Minnesota Vikings.
Watt joined CBS in 2023 and spent his first two seasons on “The NFL Today.” He moved into the booth with Ian Eagle on the network’s No. 2 crew last season.
Ross Tucker will move alongside Eagle and Evan Washburn on the second crew. Tucker has previously worked games with Eagle on Westwood One radio.
CBS placed Romo on leave eight days after his arrest.
Tony Romo’s July Arrest In Wisconsin
A Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office deputy stopped Romo at approximately 5:30 p.m. CT on July 23 while he was driving south on Interstate 43.
The sheriff’s office said Romo performed poorly on standardized field sobriety tests. He was arrested at approximately 6:15 p.m. CT, booked around 9:45 p.m., and released at approximately 11 p.m.
Romo was arrested for first-offense OWI.
Body-camera footage released by the sheriff’s office five days later showed Romo telling a deputy that he was coming from a golf course and heading to see his grandparents. Romo also told the deputy he had consumed zero drinks.
One citation said Romo had been seen passing vehicles through a gore area separating interstate traffic from cars entering on an on-ramp. Another said an open bottle of an alcoholic beverage was found on the passenger side of his black Jeep during an inventory before the vehicle was towed.
Court records list an additional citation for refusing an intoxication test after his arrest. Romo is due back in court Sept. 21.
Tony Romo’s Dallas Cowboys Career
The Cowboys signed Romo as an undrafted free agent out of Eastern Illinois in 2003.
He replaced Drew Bledsoe as Dallas’ starting quarterback during the 2006 season and remained the team’s primary starter through 2015.
Across 156 games, Romo threw for 34,183 yards, 248 touchdowns, and 117 interceptions. He completed 65.3% of his passes and finished with a 97.1 career passer rating.
Romo made four Pro Bowls. In 2014, he earned Second-team All-Pro honors after leading the NFL in passer rating and completion percentage. His 248 touchdown passes remain the most in Cowboys history.
Dak Prescott passed Romo for the franchise passing-yardage record on Nov. 23, 2025, with a 9-yard completion to George Pickens in the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Dallas released Romo on April 4, 2017. CBS hired him that month and moved him directly into its lead NFL booth in place of Phil Simms.
Romo has worked alongside Nantz since his first season at CBS and called Super Bowl LIII with Nantz and Wolfson in February 2019.
Romo, 46, attended high school in Burlington, Wisconsin, about 35 miles southwest of Milwaukee.
