Tony Romo’s Weird Noises Overshadow Horrible Analysis On Disastrous AFC Wild Card Broadcast

Tony Romo is not the most beloved figure in NFL history. However, the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback was widely considered one of the most insightful color commentators in the sport upon his entry into the booth with CBS in 2017.

The tide has since turned.

Those who watched the AFC Wild Card game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills on Sunday were extremely frustrated by Romo’s delivery. NFL fans are extremely grateful for Jim Nantz.

Tony Romo is getting paid a lot of money at CBS.

CBS made Romo the highest-paid NFL TV analyst in history with a 10-year, $180 million contract in 2020. He has since been surpassed by Troy Aikman and Tom Brady but he set the mark.

The 45-year-old serves on the A-team for the AFC alongside Nantz and they have worked together since 2017.

Hand up, I was not a huge fan of Romo as a player. I don’t care much for the Cowboys. I thought he was good but not great. That is not to knock his accomplishments as an undrafted free agent. I just didn’t think he was that special and I didn’t find him that much fun to watch. (Unless you were hate watching!)

And then he got in the booth.

I found Romo to be one of the most interesting broadcasters in the game upon his arrival. His enthusiasm for football was always palpable in his voice. His insight often gave the viewer an understanding of what was about to happen before the snap. He was a fresh perspective.

I don’t think I was the only one to feel that way. Romo was a hit during his first few years at CBS.

That is no longer the case. I, and countless others, have flipped.

I don’t like Romo on the broadcast anymore. His calls are often flat. His enjoyment of the game no longer covers up his obvious lack of preparation. He makes weird noises. It’s not fun anymore.

The AFC Wild Card broadcast was a disasterclass.

Before we go any further here — this is not a reflection on Jim Nantz. Nantz is great. CBS, by and large, does a good job.

This only has to do with Tony Romo. Fans wanted him so badly to just… stop talking.

Tony Romo is currently on pace for the worst broadcast performance of all time

— NickyBeaster (@NickyBeaster) January 11, 2026

Tony Romo predicting the ball will be in the QB’s hands. This guy is a genius.

— Austen Semmelmann (@A_Semmelmann) January 11, 2026

Tony Romo’s broadcasting style. pic.twitter.com/kIJU5nkdHB

— Thomas Carrieri (@Thomas_Carrieri) January 11, 2026

People don’t realize how unbearable Tony Romo would be if it weren’t for Jim Nantz.

Nantz speaks more than he’d prefer to keep Romo from completely ruining the broadcast. You get nothing of substance from Romo. CBS should go get Greg Olsen for 2026.

— Chad Forbes (@NFLDraftBites) January 11, 2026

Tony Romo must think he gets paid per word. Just shut up for a second dude.

— Barstool Are Dee Tee (@editti22) January 11, 2026

Tony Romo is the worst color commentator in the sport now. And it’s obvious Jim Nantz knows it.

— DaBearsBlog (@dabearsblog) January 11, 2026

Romo does zero prep, rocks up and can barely speak. He is constantly wrong, fibs about season-long team tendencies (because he has no idea), blathers, and adds nothing to a broadcast. Nantz is not at the Al Michaels washed level; he shouldn't have to go out this way

— Ollie Connolly (@OllieConnolly) January 11, 2026

Tony Romo seems absolutely lost during the first half of this broadcast. It’s a brutal listen right now.

— Zach Gelb (@ZachGelb) January 11, 2026

Romo said more than once that whichever team won the game, either the Jaguars or the Bills, had a chance to win the Super Bowl. He said this while calling the playoffs.

And then there were the noises. So many noises.

This laugh went the most viral: