CBS confirmed it’s hiring retiring Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo as its new lead game analyst for Thursday Night and Sunday afternoon games.
The 36-year old Romo will team with Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson on CBS’ No. 1 announce team.
CBS is in discussions with longtime No. 1 analyst Phil Simms about his future role, if any, with the network.
“Tony has been one of the NFL’s biggest stars for the past decade, and we are thrilled to welcome him to CBS Sports,” said CBS boss Sean McManus in a statement. “He will bring the same passion, enthusiasm and knowledge that he displayed on the field to the broadcast booth. He brings a fresh and insightful perspective to our viewers having just stepped off the field. We know Tony will quickly develop into a terrific analyst, and alongside Jim Nantz, will become a must-listen for fans each week.”
Stated Romo: “When you think about the NFL, two of the most iconic brands are the Dallas Cowboys and CBS Sports. Going from one legendary team to another as I begin the next phase of my career is a dream come true. I have always known that once my playing career was over I wanted to become a broadcaster. I am ecstatic for the opportunity to work with Jim as I learn the craft and convey to fans my passion for this great game.”
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NFL TV viewers may not have Phil Simms to kick around any more.
CBS Sports is poised to replace Simms on its No. 1 broadcast team with the newly retired Tony Romo, reports John Ourand of SportsBusiness Daily.
The oft-injured 36-year-old QB will pair with No. 1 play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz. Via sources cited by SBD:
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported early Tuesday on “Mike & Mike in the Morning” that Romo planned to retire and seek a career in broadcasting.
Fox Sports and NBC Sports were also interested in Romo, Schefter said.
MORE: How the internet reacted to Tony Romo’s retirement
SBD’s report doesn’t say whether Simms will get shifted to another announce team, or even stay with CBS, the network he joined in 1998 after stints with ESPN and NBC Sports.
If Simms is losing his job, CBS should step up and say something publicly.
Look, I know Simms is not everybody’s favorite analyst.
But it’s disrespectful to leave him twisting in the wind like this. The man’s a Super Bowl MVP who’s served as CBS’ No. 1 analyst for nearly 20 years.
He’s called multiple Super Bowls for CBS with Nantz.
By all accounts, Simms works his ass off to stay current with the game.
Here’s another thing: Like Bonnie Bernstein, I’m not convinced a neophyte such as Romo will be an improvement over Simms.
Hell, he might not even be as good as CBS’ talented, highly-regarded No. 2 announce team of Dan Fouts and Ian Eagle.
But if Simms does go out on his shield, he deserves to hear it face-to-face and man-to-man from CBS Sports boss Sean McManus.
Give him the kind of sendoff he deserves.
Not this death of a thousand Twitter cuts.
