Tony Romo does not know how to let a moment breathe. He does not stop talking throughout the entire NFL broadcast, which creates a frustrating viewing experience for the fans at home.
It is exhausting.
Although I would never want to wish away the NFL, it will be nice for our ears to get a break from Romo for the next six months. NBC has the broadcast for the Super Bowl next month so the AFC Championship was the last game of the season for CBS.
Tony Romo makes a lot of money.
CBS signed the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback to a 10-year deal worth $180 million in 2020. It was the most lucrative contract in sports broadcasting history at the time but Tom Brady and Troy Aikman have since signed with ESPN and Fox for more.
The 45-year-old has worked alongside Jim Nantz since 2017. It was a great success when they both started together almost 10 years ago.
Romo offered a fresh perspective. You could hear the enthusiasm for football in his voice. He often gave insight into what was going to happen before the snap. His analysis was intelligent.
And I know I was not the only one who felt that way. Romo was considered one of the best analysts in football during his first few years in the booth.
Not anymore! The public opinion on Romo has completely flipped.
CBS broadcasts are better on mute.
It is a real shame that Nantz is stuck with Tony Romo because Nantz is the best in the business. His broadcast partner brings the entire broadcast down.
The things he says could not be more obvious.
Romo at one point said that a touchdown could be a touchdown if the flag on the field did not overturn the touchdown. That isn’t the exact quote but it is pretty close. Thanks, Tony.
He also said that a game between Jarrett Stidham and Drake Maye does not feel like a game between Peyton Manning and Tom Brady but, because it was only 7-0 with three minutes left in the second quarter, he thought it had the feel of a low-scoring game. Thanks, Tony.
Romo also, unironically, said that “we know he can throw a football” in reference to… a quarterback. Thanks, Tony.
Romo later mentioned the “conditions” when the Broncos missed a field goal even though the flags on the goal posts were down. There was no wind.
If that was not bad enough, he suggested the offense should try to draw the defense offsides in the first quarter on 3rd-and-9. What?!
The other issue with Romo is that he only speaks in extremes. Every play is the “biggest.” Every throw is the “greatest.” That simply is not the case. Not every big play is that big.
And then he tries to predict what will happen, which used to be endearing. Now it is exhausting.
Especially with how often he is wrong.
That’s the biggest thing. Tony Romo never knows when to stop talking. The CBS broadcast would be so much better if he scaled way back. Let Nantz take the lead and chime in only when it adds value, not just to fill empty space. It’s exhausting.