J.J. Watt Lands Multi-year CBS Deal as Top NFL Analyst

WHO:

NBC Sports - CBS chairman David Berson described Watt as “insightful, entertaining, passionate, meticulous in his preparation, and the ultimate teammate.”

Daily Mail NFL - J.J. Watt was brought in as a temporary replacement for Tony Romo.

Heavy NFL - Watt is a former elite pass rusher and CBS booth color commentator.

Variety - Watt, a former defensive end, was named CBS Sports’ new lead NFL analyst.

Variety - Watt will work alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson.

Variety - Tony Romo was Watt’s predecessor in the lead analyst role.

WHAT:

NBC Sports - CBS said Watt had been its No. 2 analyst before Romo was placed on leave in August, after which CBS and Romo announced they were permanently parting ways.

NBC Sports - David Berson said he had watched Watt’s growth as a broadcaster and praised his preparation and ability to communicate with fans at all levels.

NBC Sports - CBS’s multi-year agreement with Watt runs at least through next year’s Super Bowl.

NBC Sports - CBS’s decision to retain Watt removes its No. 1 analyst position from consideration for Troy Aikman, Greg Olsen, Travis Kelce, Sean McVay, and other potential candidates.

Daily Mail NFL - Watt signed a multi-year deal to become CBS’s lead analyst, replacing Romo.

Heavy NFL - CBS made an announcement about Watt before he called the Bengals-Ravens game.

Variety - Watt was officially named CBS Sports’ lead NFL analyst and will continue calling CBS’s top games.

WHERE:

NBC Sports - NBC Sports reported that Troy Aikman’s potential options could include Thursday Night Football, Monday Night Football, or Fox’s No. 2 analyst position.

WHEN:

Daily Mail NFL - Watt was drafted in as a temporary replacement for the start of the 2026 NFL season.

Heavy NFL - Watt began his media career as a studio analyst in 2023 and is now in his second year as a booth color commentator.

WHY:

NBC Sports - Berson said Watt has a unique ability to see things and communicate them to fans at all levels.

Daily Mail NFL - Romo was pulled off air following what the article describes as his “bombshell drunk driving arrest.”

Variety - Watt took over the lead analyst post following Romo’s exit.

HOW:

Pro Football Network - Fans were divided over CBS’s extension of Watt, with some praising the move and others calling it a mistake.

Daily Mail NFL - CBS initially used Watt as a temporary replacement.

Variety - CBS gave Watt the lead analyst position through a multi-year deal.

J.J. Watt has been named CBS Sports’ lead NFL analyst, signing a multi-year deal to continue calling the network’s top games. He’ll work alongside play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and reporter Tracy Wolfson, succeeding Tony Romo in the role. Watt initially filled in temporarily after CBS took Romo off the air; the network later announced they were parting ways permanently. CBS chairman David Berson said Watt had been the network’s No. 2 analyst and praised his preparation, insight, enthusiasm, and ability to explain the game to fans at every level. Berson also called him the ultimate teammate. The agreement runs at least through next year’s Super Bowl. Keeping Watt in the top spot removes CBS’s lead analyst job from consideration for candidates including Troy Aikman, Greg Olsen, Travis Kelce, and Sean McVay. Fans have been divided over the decision, with some welcoming it and others criticizing the move.