Tony Romo Parts Ways with CBS Following Drunk Driving Arrest

<figure><img alt="tony romo" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/ZS5GASOUBFHMTLKET5GEJZCVLQ.JPG?auth=f57ef8e35dcf6655722e8d1efd560d0072042978e3cb005bae5ab8170465ccb6&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1400&amp;height=788" /><figcaption>Christopher Hanewinckel / Imagn Images via Reuters Connect</figcaption></figure><p>Tony Romo will not be returning to the CBS booth this NFL season.</p><p>The network announced on October 2, 2026, that it has mutually parted ways with the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback following his drunk driving arrest, which was recorded by a Wisconsin officer’s body camera.</p><p>Romo, 46, was arrested in July for driving home from a golf tournament while intoxicated, according to a Milwaukee County Sheriff’s arrest report. He pleaded no contest to a charge of operating while intoxicated last month.</p><p>Law enforcement officials reported that they pulled Romo over around 6 p.m., and he performed poorly on several field sobriety tests.</p><p>After failing the tests, Romo asked the arresting officer, “Did I pass this test?” The officer did not respond beyond instructing him to turn around for handcuffing, to which Romo replied, “No, I didn’t, huh.”</p><p>CBS placed Romo on leave a week after his arrest, and he missed the first three weeks of the NFL season. Former player J.J. Watt has filled in for him on CBS Sports’ No. 1 NFL broadcast team, an arrangement that The Athletic reports will now be permanent.</p><p>Romo, who previously had a relationship with actress Jessica Simpson from 2007 to 2009, transitioned to broadcasting after retiring from the NFL in 2017. He served as the lead analyst for The NFL on CBS, which airs every Sunday.</p><p>In his final year as a Cowboy, Romo earned $8.5 million and signed a 10-year extension with CBS in 2020 worth $180 million, averaging $18 million annually. He has called three Super Bowls alongside Jim Nantz since joining the network.</p><p>Sources informed The Athletic that Romo reached a settlement prior to the announcement of his departure. As they avoided a court battle, it is reported that Romo will likely receive a significant portion of the remaining money owed to him.</p><p>CBS did not mention the settlement in its statement regarding Romo’s departure.</p><p>“CBS Sports and Tony Romo have mutually agreed to part ways,” the network stated. “We thank Tony for his contributions over the past nine years and wish him the best moving forward.”</p><p>In his own statement, Romo expressed his intention to take a break from football.</p><p>“I’m going to use this time to take a break, something I’ve never done before, and focus on my health and my family before moving on to my next opportunity,” he stated. “I am grateful for my time with CBS Sports and for the continued support of my family and friends, as well as the NFL community and fans.”</p>