Make New York Post a Preferred Source The Tony Romo rumor mill has begun.
Following the 46-year-old’s return to television on “Monday Night Football” with ESPN’s alt-cast, many NFL fans have questioned whether this was a hint from the network regarding Romo’s future.
The former Cowboys quarterback and CBS Sports NFL analyst was arrested on July 23 in Wisconsin for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, which led to his dismissal from the network.
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo was arrested in Milwaukee after a golf tournament for operating while intoxicated. Milwaukee County Sheriff Given his free agent status and sudden return, many NFL fans were quick to say it was a calculated move, predicting that Romo is teaming up with ESPN and specifically joining the “MNF” booth with Joe Buck.
Ex-NFL star Marcellus Wiley called the moment “a Monday Night Football audition” with Pat McAfee under the nose of Troy Aikman, whose contract is expiring.“Would bet my life that this is ABC floating Romo out as the future partner for Joe Buck given Aikman’s contract,” an X user speculated.
“Romo gonna replace Aikman. This was the plan as soon as he got arrested,” another added.
A third reposted ESPN’s own X post of Romo’s appearance and wrote, “ESPN account tweeting the Tony Romo appearance makes me raise the question even more is Tony Romo replacing troy in the booth next season.”
“CBS moves on from Tony Romo, and a month later he is on the ESPN Monday Night Football field pass. Pat McAfee knows exactly what he is doing. @tonyromo” another fan wrote.
“Very sly of ESPN to soft launch Tony Romo like that,” someone else chimed in.
Only one part of the MNF booth is decided beyond the 2026 season at ESPN.
The network signed Buck to a six-year, $108 million contract extension in September to keep him in the job through 2032.
Aikman, on the other hand, has not been offered an extension and has publicly made comments to indicate his time with the network will end after the season.
The decisions by ESPN has recently created some tension between the two.
During the second quarter of the Bills’ 23-6 win Monday, Romo appeared remotely on screen in what seemed to be an unannounced move.
McAfee introduced him as the “quarterback expert.”
“I’m doing good and I’m sorry Dan [Orlovsky] that they gave me the quarterback specialist here, but you know that I think you’re a great quarterback guru. You know that,” Romo responded.
Tony Romo at Super Bowl LVIII. CBS via Getty Images Romo had not made a public appearance since his arrest that occurred after he left a round of golf.
He was issued four citations including OWI, possessing open intoxicants in a moving vehicle, unsafe passing on the right and refusing to take a test for intoxication after arrest.
“Hopefully we get to catch up with you soon, you’re the best. We all miss you,” McAfee later said to Romo on air.
The controversial ESPN host also posted the clip on his X account and wrote “you’re the man @tony romo.”
CBS placed him on indefinite leave following the release of body cam footage detailing his field sobriety test, which went viral.
Romo pleaded no contest to the OWI charge in September and parted ways with the network Oct. 2.
The network selected J.J. Watt as his replacement and he has since been locked in to a long-term deal.
Romo began working with CBS in 2017 alongside Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson on the network’s top team for nine seasons.
