CBS Sports has placed Tony Romo on leave “until further notice” following his arrest on suspicion of drunk driving.
The 46-year-old former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, who reportedly earns $18 million annually with the network, was arrested in Milwaukee last week for operating while intoxicated.
Police bodycam video later surfaced showing Romo struggling through several field sobriety tests, and CBS executives have now opted to remove him from broadcasts.
“Tony Romo is on leave from his role at CBS Sports until further notice,” a network spokesperson said in a statement Friday.
The network has not indicated whether Romo will return before Week 1 of the NFL season, and it remains unknown whether he will continue to receive pay during the leave.
NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that JJ Watt will step in for Romo and join lead play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson “for the time being.”
Tony Romo is seen looking out of the driver’s side window after being stopped by police in Milwaukee
Romo, whose CBS deal is worth a reported $18 million per year, has been placed on leave by the network
On the air, Romo’s work as the lead color analyst for the NFL on CBS has become increasingly divisive with fans.
As he approaches what would be his 10th season with the network, he has been facing calls to step down after being criticized for his strange affectations and errors in commentary.
Whether it was confusing Josh Allen for Patrick Mahomes, letting out a bizarre groan during the Bills-Jaguars game or calling a 4th & 1 carry like a first-down, Romo had his share of blunders in last season’s playoffs alone.
Romo said he felt unwell during the Bills-Jaguars incident, explaining: ‘We had a bunch of guys sick, we were just grinding through it. You’re not going to miss a playoff game.’
In December 2023, at the height of ‘Tayvis’ Mania, Romo bizarrely addressed Taylor Swift as the wife of Travis Kelce while she watched him play for the Kansas City Chiefs.
It came long before the couple announced their engagement back in August of 2025 and got married last month.
Romo, who famously dated Jessica Simpson, is married to wife Candice, a past Miss Missouri
Footage of a rambling and glassy-eyed Romo failing police sobriety tests emerged on Tuesday
Romo, who famously dated Jessica Simpson from 2007 to 2009, is married to Candice Crawford Romo, a former broadcast journalist and past Miss Missouri. They have three children.
His arrest on July 23 came after he had participated in a golf tournament in Milwaukee, and he was driving home when he was pulled over by cops.
When asked by officers, Romo insisted he had not consumed any alcohol that day prior to his arrest – but citations released by the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office revealed that an open container of alcohol was found on the passenger side of his Jeep.
Romo’s OWI charge carries a $1,066 fine on top of the $235 penalty he received for his moving violation, and he is due back in court on September 21 – at the end of Week 2 of the 2026 NFL season.
Remarkable footage of a rambling and glassy-eyed Romo failing the sobriety tests was obtained by The Daily Mail on Tuesday night.
The 46-year-old, who is now paid $18m-a-year to sit alongside Nantz in the booth, repeatedly complained about pain stemming from a pair of back surgeries and even asked officers to let him out of the police cruiser so he could relieve his discomfort.
JJ Watt will replace Romo alongside Jim Nantz in CBS’ No 1 partnership until further notice
Former quarterback Romo spent his entire 13-season NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys
Before starting the series of exercises, Romo leaned up against the hood of the police car and stretched out his back.
‘Go ahead dude,’ the female officer tells him.
Even as one officer tried to explain how he should perform the various tasks, a disinterested and distracted Romo continued to stretch out his back.
Romo repeatedly interrupted the officer as she tried to explain the exercises by asking her to repeat herself or perform demonstrations.
When Romo is asked whether he’s willing to submit to a breath test, he did not hesitate to refuse: ‘Oh no, we’re not doing that. I’ve heard from all the lawyers “don’t ever do that.”‘
Romo initially appeared surprised that he’s been pulled over at the start of the footage. The officer told him she stopped him for ‘unsafe passing on the right’ and ‘cutting across the gore’.
He told the female officer he’s coming from the golf course and is on his way to ‘meet grandma and grandpa’. It later emerges they are waiting for him to catch a flight.
After the officer returns from checking Romo’s driver’s license, she bluntly asks him how many drinks he’s had. Romo replies: ‘Zero.’
Romo smirked in his mugshot after being arrested for OWI in Milwaukee following a golf event
The former Cowboys star talked over the officer and failed to grasp instructions after his arrest
The officer then tells Romo she wants to carry out a field sobriety test, causing Romo to scramble for his cell phone. He initially refuses to get out of his Jeep and says he’s going to call his lawyer and film their interaction.
When he eventually does step out of his car, Romo asks the officer: ‘Because I’m coming from a golf course you think I’m drunk?’
The officer then tells Romo he’s being detained for OWI and she will take him to a safer place for his testing before placing handcuffs on the ex-quarterback.
The Daily Mail has reached out to CBS for further comment.
