Tony Romo Retires From NFL, Joins CBS Broadcast Team

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Tony Romo has a new team, and it's not the Texans or Broncos.

The longtime Dallas Cowboys quarterback is joining CBS as an NFL color analyst.

Romo, 36, announced his new job with a photo on Twitter on Tuesday, the same day the Dallas Cowboys released him from his contract.

He will join Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson on CBS' lead announcing team.

"Tony has been one of the NFL's biggest stars for the past decade, and we are thrilled to welcome him to CBS Sports," CBS Sports Chairman Sean McManus said in a news release. "He will bring the same passion, enthusiasm and knowledge that he displayed on the field to the broadcast booth. He brings a fresh and insightful perspective to our viewers having just stepped off the field. We know Tony will quickly develop into a terrific analyst, and alongside Jim Nantz, will become a must-listen for fans each week."

Said Romo: "When you think about the NFL, two of the most iconic brands are the Dallas Cowboys and CBS Sports. Going from one legendary team to another as I begin the next phase of my career is a dream come true. I have always known that once my playing career was over I wanted to become a broadcaster. I am ecstatic for the opportunity to work with Jim as I learn the craft and convey to fans my passion for this great game."

Meanwhile, Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones wished Romo and his family "nothing but the best."

"As an organization, we did what he asked us to do in terms of his release, and we wanted to do what was ultimately in his best interest and in the best interest of his family," Jones told DallasCowboys.com.

Romo's retirement is undoubtedly leaving some teams scrambling.

Romo had been considered a pretty hot commodity this offseason, even though he was coming off a serious injury. Some viewed the veteran QB as the potential missing link for a handful of other teams, had he become available.

But he was apparently a hot commodity in the broadcast world, too, also receiving interest from NBC and Fox, according to reports.

Romo became expendable in Dallas after rookie quarterback Dak Prescott led the Cowboys to a 13-3 record and was voted Rookie of the Year. Prescott was given the opportunity to start after Romo broke a bone in his back during the preseason. Not helping matters for Romo, either, was that he was set to count $24.7 million against the salary cap in 2017.

Romo spent 14 seasons with the Cowboys -- 10 as their starter. He was a four-time Pro Bowler who went 78-49 as a starter. He is Dallas' all-time leader in passing yards (34,183) and passing touchdowns (248), but he never could match the postseason success of his predecessors Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Cowboys will gain $14 million in salary cap space by releasing Romo, but it won't become available until June 2. Schefter also speculated that despite Romo's decision to walk away from the game, other teams will continue to keep him on their radar in the hope that they can woo him with big money.

Houston and Denver had been the two teams most widely mentioned as possible landing spots for Romo.