JJ Watt permanently replaces Tony Romo as top game analyst for NFL on CBS
Chris Bumbaca, USA TODAYThu, October 22, 2026 at 1:14 PM UTC
The first seat in the upcoming game of NFL broadcaster musical chairs has been filled – by someone who was already occupying a coveted seat on an interim basis.
JJ Watt, the former Houston Texans defensive lineman, has been named the NFL on CBS' lead game analyst permanently, including for Super Bowl 62 in Atlanta in 2028. Watt has called games in the network's top booth with Jim Nantz (play-by-play) and Tracy Wolfson (sideline reporter) this season after the arrest and eventual departure of Tony Romo, who had held the title of No. 1 game analyst at CBS since 2017.
“I am incredibly honored and grateful to have the opportunity to represent CBS Sports and all of the fantastic people who make this place so special,” Watt said in a release announcing the news.
David Berson, chairman of the newly formed Skydance's Global Sports Group (after the merger with Paramount, CBS' former parent company), said "we are thrilled to have him leading our NFL coverage."
“I’ve had a front-row seat to JJ’s growth as a top-tier broadcaster, watching him tackle this role just like he did his Hall-of-Fame playing career,” said Berson. “He’s insightful, entertaining, passionate, meticulous in his preparation, and the ultimate teammate. He has a unique ability to see things and communicate to fans of all levels."
Watt started calling games in 2025 alongside Ian Eagle after two seasons working for CBS' long-running studio show, "The NFL Today."
“From the brotherhood of 'The NFL Today' to my crews calling games, I couldn’t ask for better teammates alongside me on this television journey," Watt said in the release. "I am thankful to David Berson for his leadership, vision and trust. I love this job and can’t wait to see ya Sunday with Jim and Tracy and many more Sundays to come!”
Watt signed a new deal that will keep him with the company.
In a video message posted on social media, Watt said he woke up Monday morning to a missed call from Berson, who told him the news. (At first, Watt joked, he wondered whether he'd been reprimanded for hurting Nantz during a booth demonstration about punching the football to force a fumble.)
“It’s an incredible honor, and it’s humbling,” Watt said. “There’s only five seats that get to do this (call the Super Bowl) … I do not take that responsibility lightly at all.
“I have an absolute blast doing it every single week and I cannot wait to continue to do it.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: JJ Watt permanently replaces Tony Romo as top game analyst for NFL on CBS
Source: Sports
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