Tony Romo is likely relieved that CBS’s broadcasts for this season have ended, following heavy social media criticism of his commentary with Jim Nantz in 2025.
The criticism, already notable during the regular season, intensified in the postseason as mistakes increased and analysis was seen as too simplistic. Romo had remained silent on this negative commentary until he was asked about it directly.
Tony Romo Defended Himself Against Criticism on Social Media
On “The Pat McAfee Show” Tuesday, Romo explained his approach to handling negative feedback about his CBS Sports performance and the philosophy behind his on-air presence, offering insight into how he responds to criticism.
“The criticism comes with the territory..
I’m always gonna be myself and it’s all part of the process” ~ @tonyromo #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/bUz88FaGmy
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 27, 2026
Romo acknowledged that criticism comes with high-profile roles, especially during major NFL games. To manage this pressure, he said he is focusing on maintaining a positive mindset and trusting the instincts that earned him a top spot in media coverage.
“You’re doing you. You’ve got to be yourself and everything. You’re trying your best. You’re never not trying your hardest to go be great at something. But then you look at it, the noise is the noise. It’s part of being in this job. All the fans come up to me and say how much they love us,” said Romo.
“That’s what I feel. As far as looking at stuff online, it’s just part of the process. I don’t think it really changes things. They’re watching you. You have to be yourself and just go with it. I got to this position because of that, and I want the the game built up, I want certain players, the guys who care deeply.”
“I want you to give everything you have and literally care that much. You root for those guys. Not everyone gives every ounce of themselves. So many players do, but not all of them.”
Romo Seems Willing to Maintain Current Commentary Style at CBS
During the interview, the legend of the Dallas Cowboys (who ranks No. 6 in the PFSN Offense Impact metric with a B grade) stressed that his real-world interactions with fans are positive and often differ from negative online criticism. However, this perspective contrasts with reports on CBS executives’ concerns.
PFSN echoed a report from The Athletic this week about some network executives’ concerns about its main commentator’s performance during the 2028 CBS Super Bowl broadcast.
Despite these concerns, rather than shifting back to a more analytical style, Romo appears to be sticking with a spontaneous, general approach, convinced that authentic reactions set his broadcasts apart.
It remains to be seen whether the channel will continue to align with Romo’s current approach or push for changes in its main broadcasting duo before Super Bowl 62.
