During Saturday’s playoff clash between the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos, Tony Romo found himself in the spotlight - and not for the reasons CBS might’ve hoped. With the game in full swing, Romo accidentally referred to Josh Allen as Patrick Mahomes on air - a slip that instantly lit up social media and raised more than a few eyebrows among NFL fans.
Now, announcers flubbing a name here and there isn’t exactly breaking news. Live TV is unpredictable, and even the best in the business have their moments.
But confusing Josh Allen - the face of the Bills franchise and one of the most physically imposing quarterbacks in the league - with Patrick Mahomes, who’s been sidelined with a season-ending ACL tear and whose Chiefs missed the postseason for the first time since 2015? That’s a tough one to explain away.
The moment quickly made the rounds online, with fans from both #BillsMafia and #BroncosCountry chiming in. Some laughed it off, others weren’t so forgiving. And given that Romo has already been under a growing microscope for his recent work in the booth, this latest gaffe only added fuel to the fire.
Romo, now in his ninth season with CBS Sports, has faced a wave of criticism lately - particularly following his call of the Bills’ Wild Card win over the Jacksonville Jaguars last week. Fans and analysts alike questioned his commentary, noting a drop-off from the energetic, predictive style that made him such a breakout star when he first transitioned from the field to the broadcast booth.
Despite the noise, though, there’s no indication that Romo’s job is in jeopardy. According to reporting from Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports, CBS isn’t planning any shake-ups.
Romo and longtime partner Jim Nantz are still set to call next week’s AFC Championship Game, which will wrap up their 2025 broadcast season. NBC Sports, not CBS, has the rights to Super Bowl 60.
So while the Mahomes slip might live on in meme form for a while, it doesn’t appear to be anything more than an awkward moment in an already pressure-filled postseason. For Romo, the best response might just be what he always did best on the field - shake it off, reset, and get ready for the next play.