Following an OWI arrest in Milwaukee County, Nypost has been placed on leave from his lead NFL broadcast role at CBS Sports until further notice. While J.J. Watt steps into the top booth temporarily, industry reports identify Fox analyst Greg Olsen as a prime candidate should CBS permanently move on from Romo.
Tony Romo’s Indefinite Leave and the Immediate CBS Booth Shift
Tony Romo faces an uncertain future at CBS Sports following his July 23, 2026, arrest in Milwaukee County for operating while intoxicated, according to local law enforcement records. He also refused to take a breath test during the stop.
CBS Sports responded swiftly by placing its lead NFL analyst on leave until further notice.
Watt steps in temporarily, as Pro Football Talk reported. Watt transitioned to broadcasting last year after two seasons on The NFL Today, eventually working alongside Ian Eagle in the network’s B
booth.
The Financial Hurdles and Legal Realities of Romo’s Contract
While temporary replacements hold the microphone, the financial mechanics of Romo’s employment present a massive obstacle for network executives. Romo is still owed $72 million over the remaining four years of his contract Nypost, according to reporting by the New York Post.
CBS could attempt to terminate the agreement for cause, arguing that Romo’s arrest breaches the morality clause built into his contract, which would leave the network owing him nothing. However, legal experts note that such a maneuver would trigger an immediate courtroom battle.
The timeline for a resolution remains compressed. Romo has a scheduled Sept. 21 court date in Wisconsin. Meanwhile, CBS is already planning to withhold him from its upcoming on-air talent seminar, the Week 1 Packers-Viking clash on Sept. 13, and the Week 3 Cowboys-Ravens game in Brazil on Sept. 27. Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reported that Romo will have to make quite a case to get his top job back,
noting that current signs point to Romo having a steep uphill climb to stick around.
Greg Olsen Emerges as the Primary Wild Card for the A-Booth
If CBS ultimately cuts ties with Romo, the network’s succession plan could turn outward. Watt stand as the two main long-term candidates for the role, according to Nypost. Olsen holds a unique contractual advantage: he maintains the ability to walk away from his current deal with Fox if offered a premier top-booth position at another network.
Olsen previously occupied Fox’s lead game analyst role alongside Kevin Burkhardt before Tom Brady’s high-profile arrival pushed him to the B
booth for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. Despite the demotion, Olsen’s critical acclaim has climbed. He won the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Personality/Event Analyst earlier this year—besting Brady—after previously winning Top Event Analyst for 2023 and Outstanding Emerging On-Air Talent for 2022, alongside calling Super Bowl 2023.
Broadcasting Competitors and Upcoming Decisions
The competition for the top spot at CBS sets up a fascinating corporate dynamic between established analysts and temporary fill-ins. While Watt brings massive star power from the defensive side of the trenches, Olsen offers proven experience in the lead game analyst chair and a track record of top-tier game preparation.
Whether CBS pivots to Olsen or keeps Watt permanently depends entirely on the permanence of Romo’s leave. With a nearly implausible salary obligation hanging over the network and negative headlines mounting ahead of the regular season kickoff, executives face mounting pressure to resolve the broadcast booth’s leadership before autumn games begin.
Worth a look
