Jim Nantz is tired of the Tony Romo discourse. The veteran CBS play-by-play voice recently stepped up to defend his broadcast partner against a growing wave of social media criticism, making it clear that the network’s top booth pays zero attention to the detractors.
Why Jim Nantz and Tony Romo Ignore Outside Noise
Making an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Nantz addressed the polarizing nature of his color commentator. Fans universally praised Romo for his predictive abilities when he first entered the booth in 2017.
That sentiment has shifted over the last few seasons. A highly vocal segment of viewers now heavily scrutinizes his excitable delivery, tendency to talk through big moments, and unpredictable interjections.
McAfee brought up this disconnect directly. The host suggested that fans often misunderstand the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback despite his obvious, elite football intellect. Nantz fired back with unwavering support for his colleague, pointing to Romo’s deep understanding of the game as the exact reason their broadcast works so well on Sundays.
“First off he is unique and you don’t want everyone out there to be the same,” Nantz told McAfee. “He has a different perspective, he’s fun, he’s incredibly knowledgeable about what’s happening and the X’s and O’s of a football game. We’ve been together for nine years. It’s a joy ride.”
The criticism often centers around Romo reacting with raw emotion during broken plays. Nantz sees those quirks as features rather than bugs. He emphasized that the top CBS crew actively tunes out the online chatter and focuses entirely on the game in front of them.
“I know there’s a lot of noise out there and sometimes the noise just feeds more noise,” Nantz said. “Tony doesn’t pay any attention to it. I don’t pay any attention to it. There’s a lot of people who love him, a great many do. I love him. It’s been a thrill working with him.”
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Romo secured a massive, long-term contract extension because he sounded like a passionate fan sitting on the couch next to you. Nantz believes that his unpolished, enthusiastic approach is exactly what modern sports television needs to keep viewers engaged for three hours.
“Ive been working with Tony Romo for nine years and I love him..
It’s been a thrill working with him and I consider myself fortunate to call games with him”
Jim Nantz #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/OSIDev5LxH
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 6, 2026
“We should celebrate the fact that he’s different,” Nantz explained. “He’s got this oversized personality and he acts like a big kid in the booth and guess what? Off the air he’s a big kid!”
The broadcasting legend has shared the booth with some of the most respected analysts in sports history during his long career. Yet he continues to champion Romo’s unconventional style. Nantz praised his partner’s ability to react naturally to the chaos of a live football game, rather than relying on rehearsed talking points or tired broadcasting cliches.
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“That’s what makes him fun. It’s authentic,” Nantz said. “It’s who he is. I like the shooting from the hip, off the cuff, reactionary, noises and all that stuff. It’s who he is.”
The NFL on CBS lead team is not changing its established formula anytime soon. Their audience numbers remain astronomical, and the chemistry between the two men is undeniable. As long as Nantz holds the play-by-play microphone, Romo has the absolute green light to be the loudest kid in the room.
