Another mistake by Tony Romo condemns him to a disastrous end, while Jerry Jones could make changes to the Cowboys
The former Dallas quarterback endured a difficult day after losing his CBS broadcasting role and being disqualified from a golf qualifier
T ony Romo suffered two major setbacks on October 2, when CBS Sports confirmed that it had parted ways with the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and he was subsequently disqualified from a golf tournament after submitting an incorrect scorecard.
The double disappointment marked a difficult moment for Romo , who had spent nine seasons as CBS’ lead NFL game analyst after retiring from professional football.
His broadcasting future is now uncertain, while his latest attempt to advance through golf’s qualifying system ended in controversy over a scoring error.
Romo was competing in the final round of a Korn Ferry Tour pre-qualifier in Oklahoma, hoping to progress towards the developmental tour. However, his scorecard recorded a four on both the 16th and 17th holes when the scores should have been five on each.
According to reports from Yahoo Sports and ProFootballTalk, Romo accepted responsibility for the mistake. His group had reportedly been placed on the clock because of slow play, potentially contributing to the rushed situation.
Under golf’s rules, signing for a score lower than the one actually achieved results in disqualification.
Even if the scorecard had been correct, Romo was not expected to advance to the next stage. Nevertheless, the incident added another setback to a day already dominated by the end of his broadcasting career.
Romo’s broadcasting future remains uncertain as the Cowboys face their own problems
CBS announced its separation from Romo after he had been placed on indefinite leave following his July arrest in Wisconsin for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. He pleaded no contest to the charge in September, according to the Associated Press.
The network said: "CBS Sports and Tony Romo have mutually agreed to part ways. We thank Tony for his contributions over the past nine years and wish him the best moving forward."
Former Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt , who had filled in during Romo’s absence, will remain alongside play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz and reporter Tracy Wolfson on CBS’ lead NFL broadcast team. The change leaves Romo without his prominent weekly role as the network’s top game analyst.
Romo initially earned widespread praise after moving into broadcasting in 2017, particularly for his ability to anticipate plays before they unfolded. His detailed knowledge of offensive schemes helped distinguish him from many other former players who transitioned into television.
However, the end of his CBS tenure creates questions about what comes next. Romo has indicated that his immediate priorities are his health and family, leaving any potential return to broadcasting or other professional opportunities unresolved.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys are dealing with a different kind of pressure. Jerry Jones , the franchise’s owner and general manager, has already indicated that Dallas is willing to explore roster additions if the right opportunities arise.
The team had been looking for reinforcements following injuries in its secondary and an inconsistent start to the season.
Dallas’ 24-16 defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 8 intensified scrutiny of the team. The Cowboys fell to 2-3, while Tampa Bay secured its first win of the campaign.
The result raised further questions about Dallas’ defensive performance and its ability to turn individual talent into consistent results.
Jones could therefore consider personnel changes or further trades as the season develops, although there is no confirmation that a major overhaul is imminent. The owner has previously expressed a willingness to pursue upgrades, particularly where injuries have exposed weaknesses.
Romo’s golf disqualification and CBS departure are not directly connected to decisions about the Cowboys’ roster.
Yet both stories illustrate how quickly circumstances can change in professional sport. For Romo , the immediate task is deciding what comes after broadcasting, while Jones must determine how to give Dallas a better chance of competing.
Romo may still pursue golf, but his latest qualifying attempt ended before he could make progress. For the Cowboys, the next challenge is to respond on the field before their season slips further off course.
