CBS Sports Signs JJ Watt as Lead NFL Analyst
The former defensive star inks a multiyear deal to headline network NFL game broadcasts.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Football
Live Poll
Do you prefer professional athletes over career journalists as television sports analysts?
JJ Watt has signed a multiyear contract to serve as the lead NFL game analyst for CBS Sports. The former league veteran will continue calling games alongside play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz.
Why it matters
The signing follows a six-week interim period where Watt stepped into the lead analyst role after the network parted ways with Tony Romo in October 2026. This move secures the network's top broadcast booth for future major event coverage.
Watt previously spent 12 total seasons in the NFL, including 10 with the Houston Texans and two with the Arizona Cardinals. He served as an interim analyst for six weeks before signing this permanent deal.
The players
JJ Watt
A former professional football player who spent 12 seasons in the NFL and is now a lead game analyst for CBS Sports.
CBS Sports
The sports division of the CBS television network that broadcasts various professional sporting events including NFL games.
Jim Nantz
A veteran sportscaster and play-by-play announcer who serves as the lead voice for football broadcasts on CBS.
Tony Romo
A former professional quarterback who served as the lead NFL game analyst for CBS until his departure in 2026.
The details
Watt joined CBS Sports in 2023 as a studio analyst before moving to the broadcast booth to partner with Jim Nantz. The promotion occurred after the network parted ways with former lead analyst Tony Romo following his July 2026 arrest on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
Timeline
JJ Watt joined CBS Sports as a studio analyst in 2023.
Tony Romo was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated in July 2026.
CBS parted ways with Tony Romo in October 2026.
JJ Watt signed a multiyear deal with CBS on Oct 22, 2026.
JJ Watt is scheduled to call the Super Bowl on Feb 13, 2028.
Season Trajectory
This deal cements the long-term future of the lead broadcast booth following the network's mid-season personnel change. Watt's promotion establishes a new narrative for the network heading into the final stages of the 2026 season and beyond.
Viewers will see the pairing of Jim Nantz and JJ Watt continue for all major network NFL game broadcasts throughout the remainder of the season. This confirms that the booth pairing is settled for upcoming marquee matchups.
The takeaway
The transition demonstrates how networks prioritize continuity in prime-time commentary roles to maintain viewer experience. Fans can expect consistent broadcast voices for major games as the network stabilizes its lead team.
What happens next
JJ Watt is scheduled to provide analysis for the Super Bowl broadcast on February 13, 2028.
Further reading
For more on the latest broadcast news, see United States Football.
Live Poll
Do you prefer professional athletes over career journalists as television sports analysts?
