Tony Romo is once again in the spotlight - and not for the reasons he’d prefer - after a string of on-air missteps during the NFL Divisional Round matchup between the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos. As Buffalo’s season came to a stunning end in overtime, Romo found himself facing a wave of criticism for what fans saw as a confusing and error-filled broadcast.
The former Cowboys quarterback, now a lead analyst for CBS, had already drawn scrutiny for his commentary in the previous week’s Wild Card game between the Bills and Jaguars. But Saturday’s performance seemed to pour fuel on the fire.
Early in the second quarter, with Buffalo facing a 2nd-and-5, Josh Allen broke loose for a 26-yard scramble - a vintage play from the Bills’ star quarterback. But Romo mistakenly referred to Allen as Patrick Mahomes, a slip that immediately lit up social media.
The mistake was jarring, especially considering Mahomes and the Chiefs aren’t even in the playoffs this year - Kansas City missed the postseason for the first time since 2014, finishing with a 6-11 record. Mahomes himself hasn’t played since suffering a season-ending double-ligament knee injury in a December loss to the Chargers. So, when Romo dropped Mahomes’ name in a game he wasn’t remotely involved in, fans were understandably baffled.
It didn’t take long for the internet to react. Viewers took to social media to question Romo’s energy level, his focus, and even his overall performance in the booth.
One user wrote, “Seriously, is Romo ok? He sounds off compared to past telecasts.”
Another chimed in, “He has fallen off so much. He was actually decent his first few years.
He is flat-out horrible now.”
The criticism didn’t stop there. During a separate moment in the game, Romo appeared to misread a key situation, calling a first down for Allen when it was actually 4th-and-1. The Bills went for it on a quarterback sneak, and Romo’s commentary left fans - and even his broadcast partner Jim Nantz - seemingly confused about what was actually happening on the field.
Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports, who had already taken shots at Romo the previous week, was quick to call out the confusion. “Romo and Nantz were so confusing during that segment they confused me,” he posted, referencing the miscommunication about the down and distance. Portnoy went on to describe it as “two minutes of the most confusing worst announcing in the history of football.”
This follows a pattern of strange moments from Romo in recent broadcasts. During the Bills-Jaguars game, he let out an odd groan that turned into a prolonged chuckle after a blocked punt. Later in that same game, he delivered a bizarre, maniacal laugh after a Jaguars first down - moments that left viewers scratching their heads more than once.
Romo addressed the criticism earlier this week, revealing that illness had hit the CBS crew during their trip to Jacksonville. “We had a bunch of guys sick, but we were just grinding through it,” he said in a SiriusXM interview. “You’re not going to miss a playoff game - it’s too much fun.”
To his credit, Romo didn’t shy away from the scrutiny. “Anytime you’re in a position we are - on air for three, three-and-a-half hours - you’re always trying to do the best you can,” he said.
“There’s always going to be moments where there is great stuff and then other stuff. It’s just part of being in your position - you just go back to work and do a great job.”
He also emphasized that the goal is always to make the game enjoyable and informative for fans: “We’re just trying to make everyone enjoy the show and learn a little bit and have a great time. That’s what makes sports amazing - it’s fun.”
Despite the noise, CBS appears to be standing firmly behind Romo. According to a recent report, network executives see the criticism as part of a “slanted media narrative” and have not voiced any concerns to Romo directly. He reportedly hasn’t heard a word from CBS leadership, including president David Berson, suggesting that - at least internally - the network remains confident in its lead analyst.
For now, Romo continues to be a polarizing figure in the booth. His early days as a broadcaster were marked by uncanny play-prediction and infectious enthusiasm, but more recent performances have drawn questions about whether he’s still in top form.
As the NFL postseason rolls on without the Chiefs or Mahomes, Romo’s name remains in the headlines - not for his insight, but for the moments where he seems to lose the thread. Whether he can bounce back and recapture the sharpness that made him a fan favorite remains to be seen.