CBS broadcast analyst Tony Romo inadvertently referred to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen as Patrick Mahomes during Saturday’s AFC Divisional Round game against the Denver Broncos, prompting fresh criticism of the veteran broadcaster’s performance.
During the second quarter of the Bills-Broncos matchup, Romo, working alongside play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz, mistakenly shouted “Mahomes” while breaking down a long Allen run. The error, which quickly circulated on social media, drew mockery from fans who noted that Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs were not even playing in the postseason this year.
Tony Romo calls Josh Allen "Mahomes," hitting several Bingo card spaces all at once. pic.twitter.com/kzEB3weoWc
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 17, 2026
Romo’s slip was the latest in a string of broadcast miscues that have fueled growing dissatisfaction among NFL viewers. The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, who joined CBS as its lead color commentator in 2017, revolutionized NFL broadcasting with his predictive play calls and enthusiastic analysis. But in recent seasons, some viewers have complained that his commentary has become overlong, less insightful and prone to errors.
Criticism escalated during Wild Card weekend, when fans and media described his performance on the Bills-Jaguars broadcast as a “disasterclass,” marked by confusing statements and unusual noises. Romo later disclosed he was battling an illness during that game but opted to stay on the call.
Social media users quickly seized on the moment, with many poking fun at Romo or speculating about his focus. “That CTE is starting to kick in for Romo,” posted one user on X, formerly known as Twitter. Another wrote: “Romo and Collinsworth just can’t fucking help themselves.”
Some defended Romo, citing the recent graphic as a possible cause for the mix-up. “To be fair, they showed a graphic before this play with mahomes’ name on it 4 times,” one user noted. Others questioned his overall performance: “Seriously, is Romo ok? He sounds off compared to past telecasts. Almost zero enthusiasm.”
The incident echoes past criticisms of Romo’s enthusiastic style, often accused of favoritism toward star quarterbacks like Mahomes and Allen. In a 2024 broadcast, Romo was caught “jumping up and down” over a Bills play, leading to bias allegations. Saturday’s error fueled calls for his removal: “please fire him CBS,” one quote-tweet read. Another added: “This is embarrassing. Worst announcer in football.”
Calls for CBS to reevaluate its top broadcast team have gained traction, with some pundits suggesting fresh voices like J.J. Watt could eventually take over lead analyst duties. Still, network executives have publicly backed Romo, who remains under a long-term contract.
For now, Romo’s latest gaffe underscores the pressure on even seasoned broadcasters to balance enthusiasm with precision in high-stakes NFL coverage.
