Ever turned on the TV for a Sunday afternoon kickoff and felt like the voices in the booth are just as much a part of the ritual as the wings on your plate? You aren’t alone. But man, the roster of CBS Sports announcers today looks a lot different than it did even eighteen months ago. Between massive retirements, legendary defenders jumping into the booth, and the constant internet chatter about whether Tony Romo has "lost his heater," there is a lot to keep track of.
The biggest shakeup? It’s probably the reshuffling of the college football deck and the rise of J.J. Watt.
The NFL Hierarchy: Is Romo Actually in Trouble?
Let’s address the elephant in the room first. If you spend any time on social media during a Bills or Chiefs game, you've seen the tweets. People love to pick apart Tony Romo. There was even a flurry of rumors earlier this month suggesting CBS might move him out of the No. 1 slot.
Honestly? It’s mostly noise. As of early 2026, the trio of Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, and Tracy Wolfson remains the gold standard for the network. They just finished leading CBS to its most-watched regular season ever. While critics like Chris "Mad Dog" Russo might call for a change, the reality is that Romo is locked into a massive contract through 2030.
Jim Nantz is the glue. He has been at CBS since 1985, and his chemistry with Romo is what keeps that broadcast from spiraling when Tony gets a little too excited about a pre-snap motion. They are clicking, and despite what the "bench Romo" crowd says, they aren't going anywhere yet.
The Rise of J.J. Watt
The real story in the NFL booth is J.J. Watt. He made the jump from The NFL Today studio to the game booth for the 2025-26 season, and he’s been a revelation. Pairing a high-motor guy like Watt with a seasoned pro like Ian Eagle was a stroke of genius.
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Watt brings a level of current-era defensive insight that we haven't really heard since... well, since Romo first started. They have officially taken over the No. 2 spot, displacing Charles Davis.
The Rest of the NFL Roster
If you’re watching a regional game, you’re likely hearing one of these pairings:
- Kevin Harlan and Trent Green: Harlan is still the most exciting voice in sports. Period. Whether it's a 2-yard dive or a fan running onto the field, he treats it like the Super Bowl.
- Andrew Catalon, Jason McCourty, and AJ Ross: A solid, steady crew that handles a lot of the AFC South and North matchups.
- Spero Dedes and Adam Archuleta: Usually joined by Aditi Kinkhabwala on the sidelines.
- Tom McCarthy and Ross Tucker: Tucker is a "fan-favorite" because he talks like a guy you’d meet at a bar—honest and totally unfiltered.
The Big Move: Charles Davis and the New College Football Era
This is where things get interesting. For nearly two decades, Gary Danielson was the voice of Saturday afternoons on CBS. Love him or hate him, he was synonymous with the SEC on CBS (and later the Big Ten). But Danielson is officially retiring after the current 2025-26 cycle.
To fill that massive void, CBS is moving Charles Davis back to the college ranks full-time starting in 2026.
It’s a homecoming, really. Davis was the lead analyst for FOX and TBS back in the day before he became an NFL staple. He’ll be joining Brad Nessler and Jenny Dell to form the new lead Big Ten crew. If you’re a fan of deep-cut player stats and hearing about a linebacker's high school track times, Davis is your guy. He is basically a walking encyclopedia.
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March Madness and the Hardwood
When the calendar flips to 2026, the focus shifts to the floor. CBS has been doing this for 44 years, and the lineup is a mix of legends and new blood.
The Lead Crew
With Jim Nantz stepping away from college hoops a couple of years back, Ian Eagle has fully embraced the lead play-by-play role for the Final Four. He’s joined by:
- Bill Raftery: The "Onions!" guy. He’s 82 and still has more energy than most 20-year-olds.
- Grant Hill: Provides the calm, professional balance to Raftery’s chaos.
The Support Teams
The depth here is incredible. You've got Brian Anderson, who usually works with Stan Van Gundy, and the ever-reliable Kevin Harlan pulling double duty.
A name to watch? Robbie Hummel. He’s been splitting time between studio work and game analysis. He knows the modern college game better than almost anyone in the business right now.
Golf: A New Voice in the Grass
Golf on CBS is an institution. But even institutions need a facelift. Following the retirement of Ian Baker-Finch, the network had to move some pieces around for the 2026 PGA Tour season.
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Colt Knost has officially moved from the ground to the "super booth" alongside Jim Nantz and Trevor Immelman. Knost is hilarious and brings a much-needed "player's perspective" that isn't too stuffy.
To replace Knost on the course, CBS hired Johnson Wagner. If you follow golf on social media, you know Wagner. He became a viral sensation for his "Live From" segments where he would try to recreate impossible shots from the pros. He’s now the No. 3 walking reporter, slotting in behind Dottie Pepper and Mark Immelman.
And yes, Amanda Balionis is still the lead reporter. She's basically the face of the tournament coverage at this point, handling all the high-pressure post-round interviews.
The Studio: The NFL Today
While the game booths get all the glory, the Sunday morning routine starts with The NFL Today. The lineup for 2025-26 has stabilized after some earlier turnover:
- James Brown: The "JB" we all know. The ultimate conductor.
- Bill Cowher: The chin. The coach. The guy who still looks like he wants to blitz on every play.
- Nate Burleson: The bridge between sports and pop culture.
- Matt Ryan: The newest addition to the core four, bringing "Matty Ice" composure to the set.
- Jonathan Jones: The lead insider who handles the "breaking news" segments.
Why It Matters
Broadcast teams actually dictate how we perceive the game. A bad announcer can make a 38-35 thriller feel boring, while a great one can make a 10-3 slog feel like a chess match. CBS seems to be leaning into "personality" lately—guys like Watt and Knost who aren't afraid to be themselves rather than just reading a teleprompter.
What to do next:
If you want to catch these teams in action, the best way to keep up is via the PGA Tour schedule for the spring or the March Madness bracket coming up in a few weeks. If you’re looking for a specific announcer's schedule, the Paramount Press Express site usually drops the weekly NFL and college basketball pairings every Tuesday morning. Check those out if you want to know exactly who is calling your team's game this weekend.