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Tony Romo’s CBS future takes a troubling turn after arrest
CBS NFL analyst and former NFL quarterback Tony Romo. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Tony Romo’s CBS future takes a troubling turn after arrest

Tony Romo will be on a leave of absence from CBS Sports following his recent arrest in Wisconsin.

A CBS spokesperson confirmed that the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback will remain on leave until further notice. 

The network has not provided a timeline for Romo’s return, leaving his availability for the beginning of the 2026 NFL season uncertain.

The decision comes one week after Romo was arrested on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

Tony Romo received three citations

According to the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office, Romo was stopped on Interstate 43 on July 23 after a deputy reportedly saw him passing vehicles through a restricted area and deviating from his lane.

Body camera footage released this week showed Romo telling the deputy that he was returning from a golf course and had consumed no alcohol. Authorities said Romo had red, glassy eyes and smelled of alcohol.

Romo repeatedly asked to contact his attorney before leaving the vehicle. He eventually completed field sobriety exercises but refused a preliminary breath test and a chemical test.

During an inventory of the vehicle, authorities allegedly found an open bottle of alcohol on the passenger side. Romo received citations for operating while intoxicated, unsafe passing and possessing an open container in a moving vehicle.

He was taken into custody, booked and released later that night. Romo has not been formally charged. A first OWI offense is generally treated as a civil violation in Wisconsin rather than a criminal offense. He is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 21.

Tony Romo’s CBS return remains uncertain

Romo has worked as CBS Sports’ lead NFL analyst since retiring from football in 2017. He calls the network’s biggest games alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson.

His immediate success in the broadcast booth quickly turned him into one of sports television’s most recognizable voices. CBS reportedly signed Romo to a 10-year contract worth approximately $180 million in 2020.

Romo had already withdrawn from the Texas State Open golf tournament following his arrest. His leave from CBS now creates a much larger professional question with the NFL season approaching.

JJ Watt will replace Romo during his absence. For now, Romo is stepping away while his legal situation unfolds. When he returns to the booth remains unanswered.

Chris Pownall

Chris Pownall is a Contributor to Yardbarker covering all major sports, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, college athletics, and the biggest storylines shaping the sports world. His work focuses on timely analysis, strong opinion, and the narratives fans are actually talking about. He also serves as an NFL Analyst for Last Word on Sports, where he provides in depth coverage and league wide perspective on the NFL

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