When the NFL released the full 2026 regular season schedule earlier this week, it didn't just set the stage for the upcoming season—it also gave fans a reason to celebrate. The reason? Tony Romo, CBS's lead color commentator, won't be in the booth for the most anticipated matchup of the year: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Buffalo Bills.
Romo has been the voice of CBS's biggest games since 2017, partnering with Jim Nantz to call the network's premier AFC contests. Over the years, that has meant a heavy dose of Patrick Mahomes vs. Josh Allen, two quarterbacks Romo openly admires. And who can blame him? They're the best at the most important position in sports, a spot Romo knows intimately from his own playing days.
But for many fans, Romo's enthusiasm for the Mahomes-Allen rivalry has crossed into overdrive. Social media has been flooded with complaints that his commentary during Chiefs-Bills games feels more like a fanboy session than professional analysis. Terms like "drool fest" have been thrown around, and the criticism has only grown louder with each meeting between the two AFC powerhouses.
That all changes in 2026. NBC will broadcast the Chiefs vs. Bills game on Thanksgiving night, meaning Romo and Nantz will be watching from home. The news has sparked a wave of relief across the NFL fanbase.
"No Romo!" one fan posted on social media. "Finally! Can't wait to listen without Romo," another added. The reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with some even calling the development "something worth celebrating."
Even Jim Nantz seems unfazed by the change. In an interview with Sports Illustrated's Jimmy Traina, Nantz acknowledged that the Chiefs-Bills rivalry is "the rivalry of its time," but added, "You're not gonna get it every year. So, I'm O.K. with it. I have faith we're going to get a very good schedule. I kind of had a sinking feeling that one of these years, somebody else was gonna get the chance to have that great matchup. It's O.K."
The shift in broadcast rights is part of a broader trend in the NFL's scheduling strategy. The league has been mixing up its prime-time and holiday matchups to keep things fresh, and this year's Thanksgiving slate is already generating buzz. In fact, nfl fans are drooling over the ridiculous 2026 thanksgiving games schedule, which includes several blockbuster matchups.
For those who have grown tired of Romo's gushing over Mahomes and Allen, this year's schedule offers a reprieve. The Chiefs and Bills will still meet, but the broadcast will feature a different voice—and for many, that's a welcome change. Whether Romo's absence will lead to a more balanced analysis or simply shift the focus to other storylines remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: NFL fans are ready to enjoy the game without the soundtrack of non-stop praise.
