Tony Romo returns to TV on ESPN broadcast after CBS departure

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 10 Nov, 13:32 · Archive

Former CBS analyst Tony Romo made a surprise appearance on an ESPN Monday Night Football alternate broadcast.

Tony Romo made a surprise appearance on Pat McAfee's alternate ESPN broadcast during Monday Night Football's Vikings–Bills game, working as a 'quarterback expert' to analyse the first quarter of the defensive clash between the teams. The appearance was unannounced and marked his first public appearance since an OWI arrest in July.

Romo had been CBS Sports' lead NFL analyst since 2017, working alongside Jim Nantz on the network's top team for nine seasons. He and CBS mutually agreed to part ways in October, with the two sides settling on the remainder of his contract: four years and $72 million left on his original ten-year, $180 million deal. J.J. Watt took over his role at CBS.

During the broadcast, Romo demonstrated his analytical skills. When Bills linebacker Bradley Chubb nearly intercepted a Carson Wentz screen pass, Romo noted that offences sometimes play it safe to keep games close rather than pursuing championship-winning strategies. He said: 'It plays to the point that you're playing it safe. It's almost like you're play-calling the game to make the game be safe, so it's close, because our defense can win it.'

The appearance sent social media into speculation. Fans suggested ESPN was 'soft-launching' Romo as a potential replacement for Troy Aikman, ESPN's regular Monday Night Football analyst, with some calling it an 'audition' for the role. One commenter praised McAfee for giving Romo 'an opportunity to feel some normalcy in what I'd imagine has been a horribly tough year for him'.

How it is being reported

• Tony Romo resurfaces on alternate 'Monday Night Football' telecast and shows he's better than Troy AikmanTony Romo's unpromoted Pat McAfee appearance on ESPN2 during Vikings-Bills game felt like a "Monday Night Football" audition to replace Troy Aikman.Fox News · 10 Nov, 13:23
• Tony Romo makes shocking return to TV on Pat McAfee ‘MNF’ alt-cast months after OWI arrestTony Romo made a surprise return to television and to breaking down NFL games.New York Post · 10 Nov, 03:20
• Tony Romo makes shock on-air return during ESPN's MNF broadcast... sparking rumors of bombshell move to rival network after CBS firingRomo's unexpected cameo during Monday Night Football comes in the wake of his shocking OWI arrest and subsequent departure from his lead analyst role at CBS Sports.Daily Mail Sport · 10 Nov, 02:39

In this story: Tony Romo · Pat McAfee · CBS Sports · ESPN · Dallas Cowboys · Troy Aikman · J.J. Watt · Buffalo Bills

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