NFL on CBS broadcaster JJ Watt has broken his silence following his promotion to the network's No. 1 commentary team for the upcoming season. Watt, who has been a prominent color commentator since retiring from football, will now serve as the lead analyst after Tony Romo was arrested on July 23 and charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated in Milwaukee.
Watt acknowledged the situation in a post to X, formerly Twitter. "Haven't said much because it's not the circumstances you'd hope it would happen under," Watt stated. "But I'm incredibly excited about this opportunity and look forward to working with a legendary team in Jim Nantz, Tracy Wolfson, [broadcast producer] Jim Rikhoff and the entire CBS lead crew. See you in Minnesota!"
The former pass rusher included his game notes for the upcoming CBS contest between the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings in his post. Watt joined CBS in 2023 after his NFL career, initially taking over for Charles Davis on the network's No. 2 broadcast team alongside play-by-play announcer Ian Eagle.
Tony Romo has been placed on leave by CBS "until further notice" following his arrest. CBS Sports president David Berson stated on Tuesday that there is "no timetable" for Romo's return, describing the situation as "evolving" and a "personnel matter and a legal one for Tony."
Romo was arrested and cited for passing in a "gore area," a section of highway separating traffic lanes. He reportedly performed poorly on field sobriety tests and was booked and released. The charges carry fines exceeding $1,500.
