Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has been placed on leave by CBS Sports after his recent arrest on charges of operating while intoxicated. It is a dramatic turn in Romo’s personal and professional life, but Cowboys icon Dez Bryant has publicly come to his former quarterback’s defense during this difficult period.
Dez Bryant Sends Heartfelt Message as Tony Romo Faces Uncertain Next Chapter
When CBS Sports handed Tony Romo a 10-year, $180 million contract in 2020, one prominent sports media executive told The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand it was “the worst contract in media history.”
Since CBS announced that Romo has been placed on leave from his analyst role “until further notice” without providing additional details, questions about his future with the network have only intensified.
A return remains possible, but Romo will likely have to rebuild both his public image and his presence in the broadcast booth. CBS seems eager to prevent the ongoing situation from overshadowing its NFL coverage, and the circumstances could allow the network to move in a different direction.
The decision to have JJ Watt fill Romo’s chair rather than use a temporary replacement also suggests the network is taking the situation seriously.
The whole scenario is a difficult chapter for Romo, a four-time Pro Bowler who built an accomplished NFL career. Even as uncertainty surrounds his future in broadcasting, Bryant has publicly voiced his support.
“Lay off my QB. As smart as Romo is and as great as he is as an analyst, the knowledge he rarely shows the world is on another level. Romo should lock in..create and build his own thing and run circles around CBS. Just know, one decision doesn’t define the journey,” Bryant tweeted.
Lay off my QB. As smart as Romo is and as great as he is as an analyst ..the knowledge he rarely shows the world is on another level. Romo should locks in..create and build his own thing and run circles around CBS.. 9 Just know..one decision doesn’t define the journey. https://t.co/8YrnfAHdBr
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) July 31, 2026
Bryant and Romo shared the field in 71 games with the Cowboys, giving weight to the wide receiver’s public defense of his former quarterback. Bryant pinned the post to the top of his profile, which says a lot about how strongly he feels about supporting Romo during this period.
Romo spent his entire NFL career in Dallas before retiring after the 2016 season. He never reached a Super Bowl or earned a First-Team All-Pro selection, factors that continue to fuel debate about his Hall of Fame candidacy. However, his impact on the Cowboys franchise over more than a decade remains undeniable.
Romo quickly transitioned into broadcasting and became CBS Sports’ lead NFL analyst after retiring.
With roughly $72 million reportedly remaining on his contract, it is unlikely he simply walks away from the deal. What ultimately happens between Romo and CBS remains uncertain, and his long-term future with the network is still very much up in the air.
