CBS has handed JJ Watt a new multi-year deal and confirmed him as the permanent replacement for Tony Romo in the network’s main NFL booth.

Watt stepped in as a temporary substitute for Romo in the wake of his bombshell drunk driving arrest, before it was announced earlier this month that the ex-Dallas Cowboys quarterback would be permanently leaving the network.

CBS has now handed the reins to Watt, with the network confirming on Thursday morning that he has signed a multi-year contract to serve as CBS’ lead NFL game analyst.

He will permanently work alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson, calling some of the sport’s biggest games – including the Super Bowl in 2028.

Watt is already six games into his on-air relationship with longtime play-by-play announcer Nantz, with mixed reviews about their partnership so far.

In a report, media insider Andrew Marchand referred to their chemistry as ‘mediocre’ but revealed that CBS Sports president David Berson ‘believes in’ Watt’s potential to be a success.

JJ Watt is now CBS’ No 1 game analyst after the network named him Tony Romo’s replacement

Watt has been alongside Jim Nantz in the main CBS booth this season, with mixed reviews 

Romo and Nantz were the longtime No 1 partnership for CBS’ NFL coverage until his arrest

In a statement released on Thursday, Watt said of his big promotion: ‘I am incredibly honored and grateful to have the opportunity to represent CBS Sports and all of the fantastic people who make this place so special.

‘From the brotherhood of THE NFL TODAY to my crews calling games, I couldn’t ask for better teammates alongside me on this television journey. I am thankful to David Berson for his leadership, vision and trust. 

‘I love this job and can’t wait to see ya Sunday with Jim and Tracy and many more Sundays to come!’

Watt had previously worked in CBS’ No 2 booth with Ian Eagle, a role in which he was highly-regarded and had become something of a fan favorite in his first few years calling NFL games.

There were, of course, no immediate plans to hand Watt the top job, but CBS’ hand was forced when Romo was arrested and charged with OWI in Milwaukee back in July. 

Romo and the network officially parted ways on October 2, a month after he pleaded no contest to charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

Romo signed a 10-year, $180 million contract back in 2020 while his stock was sky high, just three years after retiring from the NFL and heading straight into the booth.

It has been reported that Romo has received a hefty chunk of the $72 million remaining on his massive CBS Sports deal after he quit.

According to The Athletic, Romo ‘reached a financial settlement’ with CBS before the announcement. It is claimed Romo ‘will likely be paid a good portion’ of the remainder of his contract after the two parties avoided going to court.

Romo vowed to step away from the spotlight to ‘focus on my health and family’ while sources close to Romo and CBS Sports have shed light on what might come next for the former Cowboys quarterback. 

Romo had been on indefinite leave at CBS since his OWI arrest in July in his native Wisconsin 

On October 2, Romo told The Daily Mail in a statement: ‘I’m proud of what I accomplished at CBS Sports over the last nine years.

‘I approached my role as a game analyst the way I’ve approached everything in my life–with a desire to win and be the best that I can be.

‘I’m going to use this time to take a break, something I’ve never done before, and focus on my health and my family before moving on to my next opportunity.

‘I am grateful for my time with CBS Sports and for the continued support of my family and friends, as well as the NFL community and fans.’

On Thursday, CBS chief Berson said of Watt’s promotion: ‘I’ve had a front-row seat to JJ’s growth as a top-tier broadcaster, watching him tackle this role just like he did his hall-of-fame playing career.

‘He’s insightful, entertaining, passionate, meticulous in his preparation, and the ultimate teammate. He has a unique ability to see things and communicate to fans of all levels. We are thrilled to have him leading our NFL coverage.’

Watt joined CBS Sports in 2023 as a studio analyst, as referenced in his statement heaping praise on his ‘THE NFL TODAY’ colleagues. 

Prior to that, he played 12 seasons in the NFL with the Texans and Cardinals, winning the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award a remarkable three times.

He was also 2017 Walter Payton Man of the Year, and was induced into the Houston Texans Ring of Honor in 2023.