On December 15, 2024, the Detroit Lions matched up against the Buffalo Bills at Ford Field, which turned out to be more than just another game; it became the backdrop for widespread criticism directed at CBS broadcaster Tony Romo. With the Lions and Bills both boasting high-scoring offenses, expectations were sky-high. Yet, what unfolded was not only action on the field but also uproar off it, especially over Romo's commentary.
Fans have had polarized feelings about Romo ever since he transitioned from quarterbacking for the Dallas Cowboys to featuring as one of CBS's lead football analysts. While many enjoy his insights, others are increasingly frustrated by what they perceive as bias and inattentiveness. During the Lions-Bills game, numerous social media users expressed their dissatisfaction, particularly pointing to Romo's lengthy praises for star Bills quarterback Josh Allen.
"I can't listen to tony romo any more dawg HE JUST PRAISED JOSH ALLEN FOR A JAMES COOK RUSH," one exasperated fan wrote. Another chimed, "Tony Romo loves Josh Allen almost as much as Cris Collinsworth loves Patrick Mahomes," capturing the sentiment of many viewing the game. Several fans even called for Romo to be removed from future Lions broadcasts altogether, with one user stating, "Can we stop giving Tony Romo Bills games? Listening to him talk about josh Allen is unbearable." Such sentiments underline how Romo's commentary can overshadow the game's excitement, especially when bias seems to surface.
Despite Allen making highlight-worthy plays throughout the season and the Bills leading 48-42 at the game's conclusion, Romo's commentary received heavy criticism. His perceived bias toward the AFC, and especially the Bills, left many Lions supporters feeling neglected. After all, the Lions had emerged as one of the playoff contenders this season, and fans wanted to enjoy the moment without feeling sidelined by Romo's enthusiasm for the opposing team.
For many, the game became frustrating to follow. Critiques included not only Romo’s commentary style but also the way he engaged with the game itself. During the first half, he was criticized for ad breaks occurring without prior injury updates, and poor transitions to commercial footage. It appeared Romo was not fully engaged, talking around the game play and delivering nonsensical commentary. A fan bluntly stated, "Tony Romo is by far the worst color analyst in the NFL. You have to watch the game on mute with this crew." Such criticism indicated deep dissatisfaction among Lions fans, leading many to question Romo’s future as the voice of their games.
The dissatisfaction did not end with the fans. Even notable voices from media and sports fandom weighed in. ESPN personality Chris Russo didn’t hold back his harsh critique of Romo, saying, “I mean how can you go on TV and ruin my Sunday afternoon? … Harbaugh must’ve taken him out to dinner on Friday night.” This comment provides insight not just on Romo’s performance during the game but the overarching sentiment surrounding his credibility as a commentator. The criticism directed at Romo reflects concerns over not just his knowledge of football history but his entire role within CBS's broadcast crew.
Floating around social media, many commenters were quick to voice how Romo’s commentary seemingly ruined an otherwise thrilling game. Phrases like, "Best game of the year ruined by tony romo," became common among live-tweeters eager to enjoy the experience of the game without distractions from the booth. With the game being such pivotal for playoff positioning, any suggestion of inattentiveness gets magnified.
Of course, Allen himself—who is heavily projected as the MVP candidate after his dynamic performance—made headlines post-game for how he led the Bills to victory. He stated, "Never doubt, never doubt. Our guys did a great job today. Defense stepped up when they had to.” With this kind of performance, one would expect the spotlight to stay on the field rather than veer off toward the commentary box. But rampant fan sentiment worked against Romo’s favor as voices grew louder criticizing his presentation.
While Romo continues to hold his spot as part of CBS's analysis team, it raises the question of whether audiences will continue to tolerate his style. Some fans openly wished for his removal from covering their favorite teams. An anguished viewer wrote online, "I hope to God I never have to EVER hear Tony Romo on a Lions game again." With pressure mounting from fans signaling their discontent, CBS may face difficult decisions about its broadcasting team moving forward.
Despite complaints circling around Romo’s performance during the Lions-Bills game, there’s no denying the efficacy of the two franchises putting on such high-octane shows. Whether Tony Romo can improve to meet his audience's needs is yet to be seen. He could either take this criticism as constructive feedback for future games or it may lead to shifting opinions on the overall broadcast quality CBS provides.