NFL

As soon as CBS placed color commentator Tony Romo on leave following an arrest for suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, future about the broadcaster’s future on the air started to swirl.

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Romo has received more criticism for his work in the booth in recent years after earning high marks for his first few seasons on the job, but CBS had stood by him to that point.

On Friday, Romo and CBS Sports announced a «mutual decision» to part ways, ending Romo’s tenure as lead NFL analyst since he retired as Cowboys QB in 2016.

The decision opens a spot on one of the NFL’s most high-profile broadcast pairings. Here’s a look at seven candidates who could replace Romo as Jim Nantz’s partner in the CBS booth.

MORE: Full details of Tony Romo’s arrest

Tony Romo replacements

J.J. Watt

If CBS simply follows the line of succession, J.J. Watt is next up. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year has experience in the booth and made the jump to the No. 1 team when Romo was placed on leave, making it clear how highly CBS thinks of him. Watt has received praise for his work as a broadcaster through the early parts of the NFL season. Romo’s departure now gives him time to audition for the coveted job full time.

Greg Olsen

Greg Olsen got the short end of the stick in the Tom Brady situation, losing his role as Fox’s lead color commentator alongside Kevin Burkhardt once Brady decided to jump into the booth. Olsen has received rave reviews for his work as an analyst and even has experience calling a Super Bowl. Now on Fox’s No. 2 team alongside Joe Davis, Olsen would be a natural replacement for Romo who would bring far less attention upon himself and require no adjustment period to get comfortable broadcasting.

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Mike Tomlin

Former Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is working in the studio this season rather than in the booth, but a strong first impression could make him a candidate for a role like this. If the stars align and CBS has an opening while Tomlin avoids the itch to go back to coaching, perhaps a Nantz-Tomlin pairing would be the network’s choice. 

MORE: See bodycam footage of Tony Romo’s arrest

Aaron Rodgers

Alright, maybe the best path forward after Romo isn’t another ex-quarterback without broadcasting experience who has a penchant for controversial statements. Rodgers undoubtedly has a sky-high football IQ and can diagnose plays similar to the way Romo does, but he might be too much of a lightning rod for CBS to take that chance. Still, the allure of matching Brady at Fox with a future Hall of Fame quarterback of their own could be appealing to CBS.

Sean McVay

Rams coach Sean McVay might be the dream color commentator for every network. The problem, of course, is he already has a job. McVay has considered walking away from coaching at multiple points in his nearly 10 years with the Rams, though. If L.A. fulfills expectations and wins the Super Bowl this season, could McVay decide he’s accomplished all he needs to accomplish as a coach and follow John Madden’s path to the broadcasting booth? The money would be astronomical, even without the experience.

Luke Kuechly

CBS took a chance on Romo when he had no broadcasting experience. Newly-minted Hall of Famer Luke Kuechly isn’t without experience, as he’s worked as an analyst for the Panthers’ radio network and is set to call four NFL games this season for Netflix, but he would be a gamble. It could be a gamble worth taking, as Kuechly is a well-spoken, non-controversial former player young enough to hold the job for a long time. 

Drew Brees

Everything about Drew Brees tells you he should be a coveted broadcaster, but his work at NBC was so uninspiring that the network decided to move on after one season. With Brady steadily improving in his role at Fox, could CBS be willing to give Brees a chance to work through those struggles and become one of the faces of the network? Brees’ Hall of Fame speech was well-delivered, and there’s a chance he has learned more about what it takes to do the job five years later.

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