For now, J.J. Watt will replace Tony Romo on the top NFL broadcasting team at CBS. If Romo never returns, the job eventually could go to Greg Olsen.
In the latest edition of his Varsity newsletter for Puck, John Ourand mentions Watt and Olsen as the two potential long-term replacements for Romo, in the event CBS moves on from Romo.
The elephant in the room for CBS and Romo comes from the $72 million remaining on his contract, over the next four years. CBS could try to terminate the agreement with cause, owing Romo nothing. But that would invite a legal battle. The two sides could strike a settlement, in which Romo would get some of the money ($36 million would be half) and walk away.
Olsen, as Ourand notes, has the ability to walk away from his Fox deal if he’s offered the top spot at another network. Olsen had that position at Fox, until Fox hired Tom Brady.
Why wouldn’t CBS want Olsen? He has won three Emmys. Earlier this year, Olsen bested Brady for Outstanding Personality/Event Analyst.
The first step is whether Romo’s leave will be temporary or permanent. The current signs point to Romo having a steep uphill climb to stick around, punctuated by the terse, one-sentence release announcing that he’ll be on leave “until further notice.”
If Romo is indeed gone for good, Watt and Olsen could be the two names to watch.
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