Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and current CBS broadcaster Tony Romo, following his arrest for OWI in Milwaukee on July 23, has been placed on leave from his role "until further notice," per a statement from the network released via Ian Rapoport.
Romo, who reportedly refused a breathalyzer test during the stop, is set for a court date on September 21. CBS has also reportedly made plans for a possible replacement if this leave extends into the season.
Per Adam Schefter, former Houston Texans star JJ Watt, who currently works with Ian Eagle on the No. 2 broadcast team, will be promoted to Romo's old spot alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson until the leave comes to an end. No matter how one slices this, the entire situation is a bad look for the former Cowboys great.
Former Cowboys QB Tony Romo put on leave at CBS after OWI arrest
Per body camera footage that has since been released, Romo told police he was coming from a golf course and planned to "visit grandma and grandpa" (all of Romo's grandparents are deceased) when he was pulled over. Romo was booked after performing poorly in field sobriety tests.
The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office released multiple citations related to the Romo traffic stop. Romo reportedly had an "open bottle of an alcoholic beverage" in his car that was discovered after his car was towed. A deputy informed Romo that he was suspicious of his inebriation due to "red glassy eyes" and an "odor of an intoxicating alcoholic beverage."
Romo, who remains the Cowboys' all-time leader in passing touchdowns and comes in second place in passing yards, has been on CBS's No. 1 broadcast team since his retirement from the NFL in 2017. Romo's performance in recent years has come under fire on social media, but that hasn't stopped CBS from committing to him with a 10-year contract that pays him $18 million per year.
CBS said it will release the remainder of its broadcasting roster for the 2026 season at a later date after this decision. While Romo's arrest is unlikely to completely derail his broadcasting career, this is still a very large bump in the road that he will need to work through if he is going to rehabilitate is reputation.
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