Jim Nantz Sounds Off on Russell Wilson’s CBS Hiring
Russell Wilson Retires and Joins CBS: A New Chapter for the Former NFL Star
What Happened? The Big Picture
In June 2026, former NFL quarterback Russell Wilson officially hung up his cleats and announced his retirement. But he didn’t stay away from football for long—he immediately joined CBS Sports as an analyst for their popular pre-game show, The NFL Today.
Important Point: Wilson went from Super Bowl champion to broadcaster in a matter of weeks. It’s a major career pivot that has fans and media insiders talking.
Who Is Russell Wilson? (The ELI5 Version)
Imagine a kid who wasn’t the biggest or fastest on the playground, but he studied the game like a scientist and played with huge heart. That’s Russell Wilson.
| Career Stage | What Happened |
|---|---|
| Seattle Seahawks (2012–2021) | Won Super Bowl XLVIII, made 9 Pro Bowls, considered a future Hall of Famer |
| Denver Broncos (2022–2023) | Traded for huge money, struggled badly, benched, then released |
| Pittsburgh Steelers (2024) | Short stint, didn’t recapture old magic |
| New York Giants (2025) | Final NFL stop before retiring |
Simple Explanation: Think of it like a video game character who was "OP" (overpowered) for years, then got "nerfed" (weakened) and could never quite find the right settings again.
The New Team: CBS’s The NFL Today Gets a Shake-Up
CBS didn’t just add Wilson. They also brought in Kyle Long, a former offensive lineman known for his personality and smarts.
What the Boss Said: Jim Nantz’s Take
Jim Nantz is the legendary play-by-play voice of NFL on CBS. At a CBS Sports seminar in New York, he played a word-association game. Here’s what he said:
- "Russell Wilson" → "Great addition for CBS. Class act."
- "Kyle Long" → "Raised in understanding the importance of turning a phrase, having an opinion, doing it with grace and class. A natural-born communicator."
Key Insight: Nantz values character and communication skills just as much as football knowledge. Both Wilson and Long are known as "good guys" who speak well.
The Elephant in the Room: Tony Romo’s Absence
You might wonder: Why is there room for new analysts? Here’s the backstory:
The Tony Romo Situation (Step-by-Step)
- July 2026: Tony Romo, CBS’s lead game analyst since 2017, was arrested in Milwaukee on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI).
- Charges: He received three citations:
- Open container of alcohol in vehicle
- Operating while under the influence
- Unsafe passing on the right
- Bodycam footage was released and described as "particularly humiliating."
- CBS Response: Put Romo on leave "until further notice."
Important Point: Romo and Nantz were one of the most beloved broadcast duos in sports. This was a sudden, shocking change for CBS’s #1 NFL booth.
Enter J.J. Watt: The New Man in the Booth
With Romo sidelined, CBS moved fast. J.J. Watt—recently retired defensive superstar—joined Jim Nantz in the lead broadcast booth.
Why J.J. Watt? Nantz Explains
Nantz didn’t talk about Romo’s arrest (calling him "a great friend"), but he raved about Watt:
"When you win the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, and you win the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year Award—which impresses me way more than anything he’s done in his legendary first-ballot Hall of Fame football career—that tells you that the man knows about leadership and he knows how to not only lead people, he knows how to deliver a message."
J.J. Watt’s Resume (In Plain English)
| Award / Honor | Why It Matters for Broadcasting |
|---|---|
| 3× NFL Defensive Player of the Year | Knows football at the highest level |
| Walter Payton Man of the Year | Recognized for charity & community leadership |
| SI Sportsman of the Year | Chosen for character + athletic excellence |
| Natural communicator | Funny, thoughtful, great on podcasts & TV |
Summary: What This All Means
| Change | Who’s Involved | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Wilson retires → joins studio show | Russell Wilson + The NFL Today | Fresh voice, redemption arc, "class act" energy |
| Long joins studio show | Kyle Long + The NFL Today | Smart, funny, "natural-born communicator" |
| Romo on leave | Tony Romo + CBS #1 booth | Legal issues force unexpected break |
| Watt joins #1 booth | J.J. Watt + Jim Nantz | High-character superstar steps into huge role |
Bottom Line: CBS is betting on character, communication, and credibility. Whether it’s the studio (Wilson, Long) or the booth (Watt, Nantz), they want people viewers trust and enjoy listening to.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Did Russell Wilson retire because he was bad at the end?
Not exactly. He struggled mightily in Denver and had short stints in Pittsburgh and New York, but he left on his own terms. At 35, he likely saw the writing on the wall and chose a graceful exit.
Is Tony Romo fired?
No. He’s on leave "until further notice." CBS hasn’t said it’s permanent. But J.J. Watt is currently filling the spot.
Why did CBS pick J.J. Watt over other ex-players?
Watt isn’t just a great player—he’s widely respected for his character, charity work, and communication skills. Jim Nantz specifically said those traits matter more than his on-field accolades.
Will Russell Wilson be good at TV?
Early signs say yes. He’s always been polished, thoughtful, and media-savvy. But studio analysis requires honest criticism—something Wilson has avoided in the past. That’ll be the test.
When does the new season start?
The 2026 NFL season kicks off in September. The NFL Today airs Sunday mornings on CBS, and Nantz/Watt will call the network’s biggest games (including the Super Bowl).
Final Thought
Change is constant in sports broadcasting. One day you’re the star quarterback; the next, you’re the guy in the suit talking about the star quarterback. Russell Wilson, Kyle Long, and J.J. Watt are all starting Chapter 2 of their football lives—and CBS is betting they’ll be just as compelling off the field as they were on it.
Stay tuned. The 2026 NFL season will be the ultimate "audition" for this new-look CBS team.