JJ Watt Receives 'Mixed' Reviews In First Game As Tony Romo's CBS Replacement

While JJ Watt didn't completely fall over himself in the booth like Drew Brees or Rex Ryan have in the past, he didn't prove to be the next Troy Aikman either.

by Tzvi Machlin

Sep 16, 2026

Former Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt.

Former NFL Defensive Player of the Year JJ Watt made his debut alongside Jim Nantz on CBS’ No. 1 NFL broadcast team this past week in the Packers-Vikings game. And while he didn’t completely fall over himself in the booth like Drew Brees or Rex Ryan have in the past, he didn’t prove to be the next Troy Aikman either.

Over the past several days, fans have been debating how good or bad Watt was alongside Nantz on Sunday. Sports media insider Andrew Marchand of The Athletic concluded on Tuesday that it was “a mixed bag” for Watt.

Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; CBS analyst J.J. Watt on the field before Super Bowl LVIII between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.

Fans Weigh In

The reaction from the fans just in response to a post from The Athletic shows that Marchand might’ve hit the nail on the head. Some fans feel they can see the talent but he just doesn’t have the chemistry with Nantz yet. Others feel that CBS should quit while they’re ahead and just give the job to Greg Olsen.

“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,” one Wisconsin football fan wrote.

“As announcers you need to build chemistry with each other. It will only get better over time,” wrote another.

“I thought Watt was very good,” a third remarked.

“(Tony) Romo is much better than JJ. Hoping Romo gets the help he needs and can eventually get back in the chair.”

“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.”

FORT WORTH, TX – MAY 27: Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and on-air talent Tony Romo exits the broadcast booth during Round three of the DEAN & DELUCA Invitational at Colonial Country Club on May 27, 2017 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Watt was thrust into the job on relatively short notice after longtime color commentator Tony Romo was placed on paid leave following an arrest for OWI over the summer.

Maybe an entire offseason to prepare for the role would have allowed him to start the season a little more on the ball.

At any rate, he’s going to maintain the job until further notice and possibly the rest of the 2026 season.

Hopefully he improves over the course of it.