JJ Watt Recounts Initial Worry Before Securing Long-Term CBS Deal

JJ Watt has detailed the anxiety he experienced before learning he had secured a contract extension with CBS Sports. The former NFL star recounted how a missed call from CBS Sports president David Berson during a busy family morning led him to believe he might be in trouble. Watt expressed concern that he might have overstepped boundaries during a segment with Jim Nantz, where a physical drill appeared to cause Nantz discomfort.

After a period of back-and-forth communication, Watt confirmed the positive news: he would remain as the lead analyst for NFL games on CBS. This role, which he assumed earlier in the year following Tony Romo's departure from the network, will now include calling Super Bowl 2028 for CBS.

"It’s an incredible honor and it’s humbling," Watt stated in a video posted to X. "There’s only five seats that get to do this, and for me to be able to represent CBS for David Berson and everybody involved to have the trust in me to be that person in that seat, to represent this great company in all of the hundreds of thousands of people that work for this company and that put on such a great product every single week, it is a true honor and privilege and I do not take that responsibility lightly at all."

Watt's tenure at CBS has seen a rapid ascent. His 13-year NFL career concluded in 2022, and he joined CBS as a studio analyst for "The NFL Today" in 2023. He was elevated to the No. 2 broadcast crew as an analyst in 2025, working with Ian Eagle, before being moved to the primary broadcast booth.

This transition to the lead booth occurred after Romo was placed on leave in July. Initially, Watt was named as a temporary replacement, but by early October, it was confirmed that he would serve in the role for the remainder of the season. This development coincided with Romo and CBS Sports mutually agreeing to part ways.

Watt expressed gratitude to Nantz, sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson, and the behind-the-scenes team for their support. "I appreciate (CBS’) trust in me and I have an absolute blast doing it every single week and I cannot wait to continue to do it," he said. "We’re going to have a lot more fun moments, Jim Nantz, voice of a generation, absolutely legendary, incredible to have the opportunity to six next to him."

He concluded by emphasizing his honor and privilege to continue in the role, looking forward to future broadcasts.