JJ Watt stepped into the broadcast booth for the first time as Tony Romo's CBS replacement, and the verdict from fans and critics is decidedly split. The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year joined Jim Nantz for the Packers-Vikings game, a high-profile debut that had many watching closely. While Watt didn't crash and burn like some other former players have, he also didn't immediately look like a natural successor to Romo.
According to sports media insider Andrew Marchand of The Athletic, the performance was "a mixed bag." That assessment seems to capture the general sentiment. Some viewers see the potential for Watt to grow into the role, while others are already calling for CBS to hand the job to Greg Olsen, who has been a standout in the booth for Fox.
One fan, a Wisconsin football supporter, was particularly critical: "Watt is a good dude (and a Badger), but he really brought nothing to the broadcast. I know we live in a world where the ex-jocks get all the color jobs, but other than name recognition, I don't know what CBS was thinking. He is ridiculously behind Greg Olsen."
Others were more forgiving, noting that broadcasting chemistry takes time to develop. "As announcers you need to build chemistry with each other. It will only get better over time," one viewer wrote. Another said simply, "I thought Watt was very good." But the shadow of Romo looms large, with one fan noting, "Tony Romo is much better than JJ. Hoping Romo gets the help he needs and can eventually get back in the chair."
Romo's abrupt departure—he was placed on paid leave after an offseason arrest for OWI—forced Watt into the spotlight with little preparation. The lack of a full offseason to build rapport with Nantz may have contributed to the uneven performance. Still, Watt is expected to hold the job for the rest of the 2026 season, barring any changes.
The debate over Watt's suitability echoes similar discussions in other sports, like pay disputes in tennis or quarterback battles in the NFL where performance and potential are often at odds. For now, CBS seems committed to giving Watt time to find his footing.
Whether Watt can improve over the course of the season remains to be seen, but his debut has certainly sparked a conversation. As one fan put it, "Tony Romo is not replaceable in the booth with Nantz. Period. They are just having buyers remorse on what they paid him and see an out. One of the other networks will scoop him up."
Only time will tell if Watt can silence the doubters and carve out his own niche in the broadcast world, but for now, the reviews are in: potential is there, but the finished product is not.
