Tony Romo is officially out at CBS Sports. However, ESPN New York’s Chris Carlin says the split should surprise absolutely no one based on his performance on television the past few seasons.
What We Know: Romo and CBS Sports parted ways earlier today, ending a run that began in 2017. The split follows his July 23 OWI arrest in Milwaukee. CBS placed him on leave July 31, and J.J. Watt has since filled his seat alongside Jim Nantz. Meanwhile, Carlin used his ESPN New York show to argue the arrest was only part of the story in why Romo is no longer with CBS Sports.
What They Said: (All quotes via ESPN New York):
Chris Carlin says Tony Romo leaving CBS Sports is not a shock: “Through his first few years as a broadcaster, [he] had been excellent. He’s doing his thing where he’s predicting plays. People were really enjoying it, and CBS paid for it. Then, I’m just going to call spade a spade here. Tony Romo mailed it in after that, mailed it in in every way. It was clear on so many of those broadcasts that he was not prepared for them.”
Chris Carlin says CBS Sports knew they wanted out with Tony Romo: “CBS did not want him back, and it wasn’t just because of the drunk driving arrest. That is far from the only reason. It had a lot more to do with his performance over the last few years. Frankly, it was insulting to the audience the way that he handled himself in in that regard over the last several years.”
Chris Carlin on the errors Tony Romo made during his CBS Sports broadcasting career: “There were times where Tony [Romo] didn’t know the rules. There were times where Tony was clearly not on the same page as Jim [Nantz]. I don’t think [he] was putting in that same level of work ethic that is required in that job. That is an incredibly difficult job that for the first few years he made look easy. He did in a different way than had ever been done before, and thus took it for granted.”
Chris Carlin isn’t sure if Tony Romo gets another NFL opportunity: “I am sure that at some point he will get another opportunity, but will it be an opportunity calling games for the NFL? Good question. Because the league would not exactly take kindly to somebody mailing it in either.”
What Remains Unclear: Neither side has detailed the terms of the split. Romo reportedly had about $72 million left on his deal, which runs through 2030. It remains unknown whether a settlement or the morals clause decided the outcome. Additionally, CBS has not said whether Watt keeps the top chair long term.
What It Means: Carlin’s critique goes beyond one bad night in Wisconsin. Specifically, he pointed to missed rules, moments out of sync with Nantz, and a lack of preparation. In his view, Romo took a difficult job for granted after a hot start following earning the role. As a result, Carlin questions whether another network will trust him with NFL games.
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