Tony Romo Faces Criticism, But CBS Isn’t Flinching - And Neither Is He
Tony Romo is no stranger to the spotlight. As a former Pro Bowl quarterback turned lead NFL analyst for CBS, he’s been one of the most recognizable voices in football since he traded his helmet for a headset. But lately, that voice has been catching more heat than praise - especially on social media, where fans have been quick to critique everything from his in-game calls to his, well, let’s call them “colorful” sound effects.
Last week’s Bills-Jaguars showdown was another flashpoint. As Josh Allen led Buffalo to a thrilling win, Romo’s commentary - and a few offbeat vocal reactions - drew plenty of attention online.
It’s not the first time this season Romo’s delivery has sparked debate, but the noise has grown louder since Tom Brady joined the booth at Fox. With a new Hall of Fame presence in the analyst ranks, the scrutiny on veteran broadcasters like Romo has only intensified.
Still, despite the growing chorus of critics, CBS isn’t blinking.
According to a recent report, CBS executives are firmly backing Romo. Behind closed doors, the network reportedly views the backlash as part of a “slanted media narrative” - and they’re not happy about it.
Internally, there’s been no indication that Romo’s job is in jeopardy. In fact, he hasn’t heard a word of concern from CBS leadership in New York or from company president David Berson.
One unnamed source close to the situation even downplayed the criticism entirely, calling it “much ado about nothing.”
That hasn’t stopped the conversation from spreading beyond Twitter timelines. Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, weighed in during a recent interview with Fox analyst Greg Olsen, saying Romo sounded “nonsensical” and comparing his performance to someone “on drugs.” Portnoy praised Olsen’s rise in the booth, suggesting that Romo’s stock was heading in the opposite direction.
Even the NFL podcast Heed the Call joined the discussion, singling out Romo’s analysis during the Bills game as particularly confusing - especially when compared to Brady’s polished showing during the Eagles-49ers matchup that followed.
But while the critiques pile up, Romo remains locked in - both figuratively and contractually. He’s under contract with CBS through 2030 on a deal reportedly worth $180 million. That kind of long-term commitment doesn’t suggest a shake-up is coming anytime soon.
Romo himself briefly addressed the noise during a recent appearance on Schein on Sports. He didn’t dodge the topic, but he didn’t dwell on it either.
“We had a bunch of guys sick, we were just grinding through it,” Romo said. “You’re not going to miss a playoff game. It’s too much fun.”
He acknowledged the challenges of being on-air for more than three hours each week, recognizing that not every moment is going to land perfectly.
“You’re always trying to do the best you can,” he said. “There’s always going to be moments where there’s all this great stuff, and then other stuff.
It’s just part of being in your position. You just go back to work, and you do a great job.”
That’s classic Romo - candid, a little self-deprecating, and focused on the grind. Love him or not, he’s not going anywhere. And as long as he’s in the booth, the conversation around him - good, bad, or baffling - isn’t going anywhere either.