Being away from the gridiron for more than a decade has done nothing to take the fun out of the sport for former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson. In fact, talking about the games and players on podcasts isn’t cutting it anymore. With a spot on CBS’ roster just opening up, Johnson is trying to position himself for a move to the booth.
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Longtime CBS broadcaster (and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback) Tony Romo and the network “mutually agreed to part ways” recently. When CBS made the news official, Johnson used that update to pitch himself as the next man up.
“Yo @NFLon CBS if you’re ready I’m ready. 🎙️,” Johnson wrote on X.
Now, Johnson has already established himself as a regular screen presence through his Nightcap podcast, co-hosted by former NFL player Shannon Sharpe. But joining CBS could be a massive jump in his post-football era, solidifying his presence on national TV. But the same constraints that cause the network to move on from Romo might apply to Johnson as well.
On July 23rd, 2026, Romo was arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI). Shortly afterwards, CBS put him on an indefinite leave. Romo pleaded no contest in early September and shared optimism about an eventual return to the network. But even as Romo got sidelined, the network found an immediate replacement with JJ Watt, elevating him to their lead broadcast team next to play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz.
With Watt steadily shaping up as an excellent fill-in, Romo’s return became increasingly doubtful. When the decision finally dropped, Romo even issued a heartfelt statement.
“I’m proud of what I accomplished at CBS Sports over the last nine years,” Romo noted. “I approached my role as a game analyst the way I’ve approached everything in my life – with a desire to win and be the best that I can be. I’m going to use this time to take a break, something I’ve never done before, and focus on my health and my family before moving on to my next opportunity. I am grateful for my time with CBS Sports and for the continued support of my family and friends, as well as the NFL community and fans.”
If the network needed somebody waiting on the bench for another unforeseen incident derailing their 2026 plans, Johnson has already thrown his name in for consideration. But given that Tony Romo’s OWI ended his CBS stint, Johnson’s history – a record of domestic battery charge against him from 2012 and his subsequent arrest – doesn’t paint a lot of optimism. Back in August, when CBS decided to place Tony Romo on an indefinite leave, CBS Sports president David Berson had already explained why the decision was necessary.
“In making this decision, we had to consider the impact on our image and on our brand. That’s very important to us,” Berson said. “Whether the games, marketing, PR, social, the focus should be – and needs to be – our presentation and this great product and not on any other factors. Fortunately, we have a very deep bench.”
For now, JJ Watt is set to continue his role as CBS broadcasts the Week 4 clash between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Las Vegas Raiders. For now – and for the foreseeable future – Chad Johnson’s pitch to CBS might go unanswered. And if something clicks, Johnson has already made his availability clear.