Welcome to CBS, Mr. Romo!
Last season, Tony Romo’s career came to an immediate halt, when he suffered another back injury. Since 2014, he’s played just a total of five NFL games, including just one last fall.
This enabled 23-year-old rookie, Dak Prescott, to have a break-out year, as signs of Romo’s eventual exit began to start. While Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones refused to trade his former starter, multiple teams inquired on the former All-Pro talent. Unfortunately, Dallas couldn’t seek a trade partner last month, as Tony was still owed a whopping $40 million over the next years.
With health concerns, still his main issue, the 36-year-old decided it was time for him just to retire from the game of football this morning to pursue a broadcast career. Romo has now been hired CBS Sports, as he’ll replace analyst Phil Simms on the top NFL broadcasting team.
Before joining CBS, he was considering FOX, NBC and ESPN as possible destinations; but now can peacefully exit a messy situation in Dallas. While it’s unlikely that he’ll make the Hall, he leaves the Cowboys as the current all-time passing leader in yards, as well as numerous Pro Bowl selections.
#Cowboys and Tony Romo reached an end of their drama. He is set to retire from football, as Dallas was set to release him, as ESPN said
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 4, 2017
Tony Romo's career passer rating = 😳 pic.twitter.com/r1ZhcASMGr
— NFL (@NFL) April 4, 2017
UPDATE: Simms agent denies his firing, telling The Bergen Record that talks are still ongoing.
“Absolutely not. He has multiple years left on his contract. I’ve had a few brief discussions with CBS in regard to the future and we have decided at the moment that we will regroup within the next month or so and figure out what his future role will be.”
UPDATE 2: According to ESPN, the Houston Texans were waiting for Romo, who had the team as his first choice if he returned to the league.