Tony Romo could finally return from his leave of absence, however that doesn’t assure CBS will place him proper again alongside Jim Nantz.
CBS has named J.J. Watt as Romo’s replacement on its lead NFL broadcast workforce following Romo’s arrest on suspicion of working whereas intoxicated. The community described the depart as lasting “until further notice,” offering no timetable or guarantees about what occurs afterward.
That language leaves CBS loads of room to deliver Romo again in a unique capability.
CBS may transfer Romo into the studio
A studio project would possibly supply CBS its cleanest compromise. The previous Dallas Cowboys quarterback would stay a part of the community’s NFL protection with out instantly returning to the sales space that carries its greatest video games.
Studio work would additionally give CBS larger management over his appearances. A broadcaster calling a reside recreation has roughly three hours to turn out to be a part of the story. Within the studio, segments are shorter, the format is extra structured and a number of other analysts share the dialog.
Romo’s persona may work in that atmosphere. He would nonetheless get alternatives to interrupt down quarterbacks and offensive choices, solely with out being answerable for a complete broadcast.
It will really feel like a demotion as a result of, nicely, it could be one. Nonetheless, it beats an outright separation for either side.
A decreased schedule is one other risk
CBS may additionally ease Romo again into recreation protection with out instantly restoring him as its weekly lead analyst.
A decreased schedule would permit the community to judge how viewers and advertisers reply to his return. It will additionally give CBS further time to evaluate Watt’s efficiency with Nantz earlier than making a everlasting resolution.
Romo may deal with chosen video games later within the season or work throughout weeks when CBS wants further broadcast groups. That will technically return him to the sales space whereas protecting him away from the community’s most outstanding assignments.
The association could be awkward, however tv networks have survived awkward earlier than. They virtually run on it.
Romo may land on a decrease CBS broadcast workforce
The boldest choice could be inserting Romo on the second or third CBS crew.
Romo joined CBS in 2017 and instantly acquired its prime analyst place. He by no means needed to climb by means of the community’s broadcasting lineup. Returning on a decrease workforce would drive him to show that he can nonetheless ship the preparation and sharp evaluation that made him standard early in his broadcasting profession.
His contract makes the scenario particularly difficult. Romo signed a 10-year, $180 million settlement in 2020 that reportedly runs by means of 2030. CBS would due to this fact must resolve whether or not paying an $18 million annual salary prevents a demotion or makes discovering one other position much more obligatory.
None of those choices would supply Romo with the standing he held earlier than his depart. They’d, nevertheless, give CBS an alternative choice to selecting between an instantaneous return to the No. 1 sales space and slicing ties fully.
Romo may fit for CBS once more. Whether or not he ever calls one other marquee recreation beside Nantz is now a really completely different query.
