“My dad grew up a big Cowboys fan. He said when you were growing up you were either kind of a Cowboys fan or Steelers fan, so I was a Cowboys fan,“ he said via Jon Machota.

“I was a big fan of the Cowboys. I loved Tony Romo. I love watching Romo play. Even when I was in college, watching Dak play. Big fan of Dak and big fan of all the players I watched growing up.”

Cowboys QB room this 2026

Heading into the 2026 season, Dak Prescott continues to command the Cowboys’ locker room as the undisputed leader, especially after his massive four-year, $240 million extension provided the stability the franchise needed.

The competition behind him has intensified with the arrival of Sam Howell, who recently signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract ($500,000 guaranteed) to vie for the primary backup role.

Howell will be competing directly with Joe Milton III, the former Patriots signal-caller who joined Dallas last year and remains a high-potential developmental piece in a now crowded quarterback room.

Cowboys’ legendary QBs

The Dallas Cowboys boast a storied lineage of legendary quarterbacks, headlined by Hall of Famers Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman, who combined for five Super Bowl championships (VI, XII, XXVII, XXVIII, XXX).

Staubach’s “Captain Comeback” icon in the 1970s and Aikman’s clinical precision during the 1990s dynasty set a gold standard for the franchise, a legacy later carried forward by prolific passers like Tony Romo and current leader Dak Prescott.

Historic NFL rivalry

The historical rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers is primarily defined by their unprecedented three Super Bowl matchups, where Pittsburgh holds a 2-1 advantage after victories in the 1970s and a Dallas win in 1996.

While the Steelers enjoyed a dominant run in the 2000s, the Cowboys faced a title drought during that era, yet the rivalry remained fierce due to their clashing identities.

• Super Bowl X, Steelers 21 – 17 Cowboys
• Super Bowl XIII, Steelers 35 – 31 Cowboys
• Super Bowl XXX, Cowboys 27 – 17 Steelers

The Cowboys have etched their name in NFL history with five Super Bowl titles. Despite being one of the league’s most successful franchises, their glory days are now decades in the past. Dallas hasn’t reached the Super Bowl since the 1995 season, and fans have grown frustrated with the lack of postseason success.

Even with a star-studded roster, the NFC East powerhouse hasn’t been a true contender in recent years. As a result, many fans no longer see them as favorites—and now, not even some of their former players seem to have much faith in the Texas-based club.

Tony Romo gets real about who to watch in 2025

While Romo was never able to bring a Super Bowl to Dallas during his playing days, he remains a beloved figure among Cowboys fans and is widely respected for his football mind. Since transitioning to broadcasting, he’s become one of the most insightful voices in the NFL.

Romo’s retirement left big shoes to fill in Dallas. Although Dak Prescott has shown flashes of brilliance, he hasn’t yet delivered the deep playoff run the franchise desperately craves. Many still believe success is possible with Prescott—if the Cowboys can make the right moves to support him.

In the meantime, Romo has shared a bold take on the upcoming season. When recently asked about the Kansas City Chiefs’ stunning blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, Romo made it clear: he doesn’t believe the Chiefs’ dynasty is over.

“They’ve been saying that for years,” Romo said Saturday at the American Century Championship about the Chiefs. “They said that about (Tom) Brady and the Patriots and (Bill) Belichick. It’s the same thing. You got Andy Reid, you got Mahomes, you got (Travis) Kelce. You guys are going to be fine.”

His stance is firm—Kansas City remains a force to be reckoned with. Despite the crushing defeat, Romo points to the continued presence of Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, and Travis Kelce as the foundation for another title run.

Will Travis Kelce play in 2025?

One of the biggest questions surrounding the Chiefs is the future of tight end Travis Kelce. After the loss in Super Bowl LIX, Kelce hinted at retirement, and speculation about his future has continued into the offseason.

However, the All-Pro tight end has confirmed he will return for at least one more season in 2025. Still, the outcome of this year could determine whether he extends his career or finally decides to hang up his cleats.

The Cowboys have struggled to meet expectations in recent years. Despite having stars like Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons, the team has yet to achieve significant success.

Many fans believed the offense needed a boost this offseason. The front office delivered by trading for George Pickens, who is expected to add more firepower to an already talented offensive unit.

Tony Romo shares honest thoughts on Pickens’ arrival in Dallas

Following a disappointing 2024 NFL season, many Cowboys fans called for changes. Jerry Jones, the team’s owner and general manager, responded by adding new pieces to strengthen the roster.

After the 2025 NFL Draft, Jones reached an agreement with the Pittsburgh Steelers to acquire George Pickens. The AFC North team was looking to move on from the wide receiver, and Dallas emerged as a fitting landing spot.

Last season, the Cowboys struggled with a lack of a reliable WR2, which led to a heavy workload for CeeDee Lamb. Eventually, the star wideout suffered an injury due to the high volume of targets he received throughout the year.

Now, with Pickens on the roster, Lamb is expected to get more freedom, which could help elevate his production. Tony Romo supports that idea, believing the trade for Pickens is a crucial move for the Cowboys’ hopes of success in 2025.

“That’s a big trade. Having him [Pickens] and CeeDee together is a game changer,” Romo said during a U.S. Open qualifier event, via Law Nation Sports. “If you remember when they had Amari [Cooper] earlier and CeeDee Lamb together, it makes it very difficult to focus on one player when you have two kind of superstars out there. I feel like when you have two guys like that, it just opens up the offense quite a bit. I think the Cowboys did a great job this offseason. Kudos to the Joneses and what they did. They needed to make up ground on the rest of the [NFC East] division, and they did. Extensive [ground].”

Who will the Cowboys face in Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season?

The full schedule for the 2025 NFL season will be revealed on May 14 at 8 PM ET. However, some matchups have already been leaked — including Dallas’ opener.

The Cowboys have confirmed that they will face the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1 of the 2025 season. The game will be played at Lincoln Financial Field, where the reigning Super Bowl champions will begin their title defense against their NFC East rivals.

In recent comments to @ESPNNFL Sunday NFL Countdown, Bledsoe made it clear that there were significant differences between Tom Brady’s debut in New England and his experience with Tony Romo, which was entirely different.

Regarding his particular situation with Romo, the former quarterback of the Patriots, Cowboys, and Bills did not hesitate to state: “Romo, if you’re watching this, you know it’s true: the minute that he became a starter, he became pretty big — in his own mind… all of the sudden, Romo was the guy who had all the answers.”

Highlighting the differences between the two quarterbacks he shared a roster with, Bledsoe said that after Tom Brady took his job with the Pats, he remained curious, whereas when Romo replaced Bledsoe in Dallas, Romo thought he had all the answers.

The words of the seasoned former quarterback, a hallmark of the New England Patriots, come just before a new NFL season, where both the Pats and the Dallas Cowboys will look to make the most of their resources and go as far as possible, although they are far from being considered major title contenders.

The story of Bledsoe and Brady with the Patriots

Drew Bledsoe, a star quarterback and the face of the New England Patriots during the 1990s, was the team’s leader for years and led the Patriots to a Super Bowl appearance in 1996. However, in the 2001 season, Bledsoe suffered a chest injury during a game against the New York Jets.

Tom Brady, then a young second-round draft pick, stepped in as the starting quarterback. Despite being relatively inexperienced, Brady delivered an exceptional performance, leading the Patriots to a series of victories and ultimately to a Super Bowl XXXVI win.

This surprising rise of Brady not only changed the course of the season but marked the beginning of an era of dominance in the NFL. After his recovery, Bledsoe was ready to return to the field. However, the starting quarterback position was already firmly established, which is why Drew eventually landed with the Buffalo Bills.

Drew Bledsoe major achievements

One of the greatest quarterbacks in New England Patriots history, until his injury in a game against the Jets that marked the beginning of Tom Brady’s NFL career, was one of the franchise’s most important players.

With unmatched talent, he was part of the Patriots team that reached Super Bowl XXXVI. Under the guidance of Bill Belichick from the sidelines, they secured a narrow 20-17 victory over the St. Louis Rams and clinched the championship ring.

A Hall of Famer in New England, Bledsoe was also named a Pro Bowler in four different years: 1994, 1996, 1997, and 2002.

Since he broke out a couple of yearsago, analysts and fans have wondered whether Mahomes will go down as the greatest player of all time once it’s all said and done. For now, that distinction seems to be Tom Brady’s to lose.

That’s why former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo believes that Super Bowl LV will be the most important game Mahomes will ever play, as it’ll give him a chance to go head-to-head with the guy at the top.

Tony Romo Says Super Bowl LV Will Be A Legacy-Defining Game In Patrick Mahomes’ Career

“This is the biggest game Patrick Mahomes will ever play in for the rest of his career. It’s the only way to catch Tom Brady. He has to win this game. If he loses this game, he cannot catch Tom Brady, in my opinion,” Romo assured.

While this could be a bit of a stretch considering Mahomes still has over a decade of football left in him, he’s got a valid point. There would be an asterisk in his GOAT case if he loses a Super Bowl to a 43-year-old Tom Brady, even if he ends up passing him in rings – which is unlikely as Brady would have seven.

Patrick Mahomes is just 25 years old and is only getting better. His best years are ahead of him and he’s already dominated the NFL at will and put together a Hall of Famer kind of résumé, and beating Tom Brady at the ultimate stage will certainly make his flawless career even more legendary.

Truth to be told, sports analysts have to put a lot of work, sometimes around the clock, to provide the expert’s input and entertainment we all need at home. Obviously, we may not always agree with what they have to say.

But, luckily for those guys, they get paid a lot of money for all the hard work they do. That’s why today, we’re going to let you know about how much your favorite sports analysts make:

25. Doris Burke – $400,000

Doris Burke paved the way for many other women that came after her. Hergreat input and knowledge of the game of basketball have made her one of the most respected voices when it comes to discussing hoops.

Fortunately for basketball fans, ESPNextended hercontract after two decades of hard work in the sidelines but her’s also proven to be an outstanding asset when it comes to play-by-play analysis.

24. Jeff Van Gundy – $1 million

Jeff Van Gundy knows basketball. I mean, he literally lives for it, and he’s one of the smartest analysts out there. Well, that’s pretty obvious considering he enjoyed quite a career in the sidelines as an NBA coach.

Thus, Van Gundy constantly gives us a different perspective when it comes to everything related to the NBA. He’s been sought after to resume his coaching career but he’s way more comfortable in the booth, apparently.

23. Terry Bradshaw – $1 million

Terry Bradshaw is more known for his legendary time with the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, he hasn’t lost the slightest passion or energy now that he’s serving as an NFL analyst for Fox Sports.

Bradshaw will always be heard. He’ll make sure about it. Obviously, that has rubbed a lot of people the wrong way but hey, he’s been getting a huge salary to do that for years. He’s an entertainer, for sure.

22.Rachel Nichols – $1.5 million

Just like Doris Burke, Rachel Nichols has made a name for herself in an industry you don’t find many women. She’s not afraid to speak her mind and became an invaluable breath of fresh air in ESPN’s The Jump.

Moreover, Nichols is a top-notch content creator and color commentator thanks to her well-prepared interviews with some of the best hoopers in the history of the game.She definitely deserves a lot of credit.

21. Jay Bilas – $2 million

Jay Bilas is the guy to talk to when you want to hear about what’s happening in college basketball. So, if you’ve filled your March Madness bracket – and we know you have – you’ve had to tune in to Bilas more than once.

Bilas isn’t exactly beloved by those who hate Duke (half of the nation, probably) because of his past with the Blue Devils, but he’s the biggest specialist when it comes to drawing up plays and bringing a true NBA-kind of analysis to NCAA hoops.

20. Marv Albert – $2 million

Marv Albert may be known as ‘The Voice of Basketball’ but don’t let that fool you. This guy can literally do it all, as he’s shown by his presence in the Super Bowl and the Stanley Cup as well.

Albert is the ultimate broadcaster when it comes to letting you know exactly what’s happening on the court. He’s got a great feel for details, and even though he may not bring much analysis to the table, his versatility makes him one of the best of all time.

19. Gary Neville – $2.5 million

The former Manchester United and England legend has changed the cleats for a headset and he’s now one of Europe’s most respected pundits not only because of his knowledge of the game but also because of how he talks about it.

Gary Neville is a great analyst but he’s also a tough guy. He will let everybody know a piece of his mind whenever, wherever. He’s turned Sky Sports’ broadcasts into top-notch entertainment for soccer fans all over the world.

18. Jalen Rose – $3 million

Former Michigan and NBAstandout Jalen Rose took his talents to the booth and he’s made a name for himself for one thing, and that’s keeping it real. Rose cuts to the chase and provides the input of a former player most analysts often take for granted.

Rose won’t hesitate to step on anybody’s toes. Everybody must be quiet and pay attention to his insight or he’ll snap. Also, his show Get Up! ESPN has been a massive success since it started airing in 2018.

17. Cris Collinsworth – $4million

If you want to get a true input about what’s truly happening on the gridiron you need to tune in to Cris Collinsworth on NBC. He grinds like no other analyst by watching even more film that when he was actually playing in the NFL.

Collinsworth is perhaps one of the most respected broadcasters and analysts in sports. He combines his experience with a thorough analysis and great respect for the game of football. He’s must-watch television for NFL fans.

16. Kirk Herbstreit – $4million

Kirk Herbstreit is another example of a former player bringing his passion to the booth. His enthusiasm for the game is quite contagious so he’s become a must for college football fans any given Saturday.

Herbstreit’s work on ABC’s Saturday night broadcast has made him a fan-favorite in no time. There’s simply no one in the nation more invested in the NCAAF in national television right now, so he’s likely going to climb the salary ladder in no time.

15. Jim Nantz – $5 million

Most young fans may not be fond of Jim Nantz but I’m pretty sure your old man loves him. I mean, he’s been around the NFL for almost two decades as well as covering every major golf event in the meantime.

Nantz has earned every penny of his paycheck for his charisma and hard work. It’s never easy thriving in one sport, let alone two, so that’s why CBS has kept him around for that long and likely many more years to come.

14. Dan Patrick – $5 million

Dan Patrick is one of the most respected people in sports because of the impeccable trajectory he’s built. From Sports Illustrated to NBC and ESPN, he’s always brought a high-level analysis and discussion.

If you’re an athlete, you know you’ve made it when you’re on Dan Patrick’s radio show. That’s how big he is in the industry and that’s why he’s been an endless source of content for sports media since day one.

13. Skip Bayless – $6 million

If we talk about polarizing people we can’t leave Skip Bayless outside of the conversation. I mean, he’s arguably the sports’ internet community most hated guy, yet his shows are always a massive success. Why? because of his hot takes.

Bayless will always double down on whatever nonsense opinion he wakes up with. He’ll defend his stance with passion, biased stories, and even facts from time to time. He does it mostly for the show, or I choose to believe that, for sure.

12. Bob Costas – $7 million

Bob Costas is Mr. Sports. He’s done it all over his long and successful career and he’s the kind of guy even your grandma knows who he is. He’s beloved and respected, which doesn’t happen often in this industry.

Costas made a name for himself for going beyond what’s happening on the court and providing in-depth analysis and interesting information about the context of every sporting event he hosts.

11. Nick Faldo – $8 million

Nick Faldo is one of the sports broadcasting industry wealthiest men. He’s the bad boy of golf, if you will, which is saying a lot considering there’s that other guy named Tiger Woods, you may have heard about him.

Faldo became famous – and infamous – on national television for constantly bashing Woods, even when he was the nation’s biggest star. Other than that, he provides great input on everything golf-related as a legend of the game, and that’s why he’s earned that much.

10. Chris Berman – $8million

Chris Berman has been with ESPN pretty much since the dawn of the company, so perhaps you’d feel like he should be earning a lot more money, considering he’s given his entire career to the network.

‘Boomer’ Berman has done it all for ESPN, from MLB broadcasts to Sunday NFL Countdown to hosting Sports Center and calling Stanley Cup games. He’s perhaps the most charismatic guy on this list, so c’mon man, pay the guy!

9. Shaquille O’Neal – $10 million

Back in the day,Shaquille O’Nealwas one of the most dominating players on the basketball court. He succeeded practically anywhere he went and built on his fantastic career to make a career as an analyst.

Shaqis now one of the most prominent voices on TV for basketball fans, as hisinsight is attractive for anyone who loves the sport and also shares hilarious moments with Chucky on screen.

8. Charles Barkley – $10 million

Charles Barkley is exceptionally polarizing and that’s why he’s made for television. You know he’s trying to pick your brains, you try and not get angry about his comments, but he still succeeds. The best part of it? You never turn off the TVor change the channel.

Barkley is a trash-talker. His takes are often biased and poorly backed up, as he’s more of an ‘eye-test’ kind of person than a guy that’ll look at the stat sheet. Love him or hate him, you can’t deny that he’ll crack you up from time to time with his comments.

7. Mike Tirico – $10.5 million

Mike Tirico sure knows a thing or two about sports. I mean, we’ve seen him and heard him hosting the Olympics for NBC and he sounds like he’s an expert on every single sport that has ever been invented.

However, he’s clearly more suited for analyzing football, as he’s shown during his decade’s long work in Monday Night Football and Sunday Night Football. He’s been involved in some controversies as well.

6. Stephen A. Smith – $13million

Stephen A. Smith isn’t human. He can’t be. I mean, if he were, when would he sleep? He’s a guy that’s literally all over the sports industry 24/7/365. He may not even have a lunch break with that many shows, interviews, and social media rants.

Stephen A has become ESPN’s main anchor over the last couple of years. His shenanigans and hilarious reactions made him an instant fan favorite but more than that, he’s a man that knows what he’s talking about and won’t hesitate to let you know about it.

5. Joe Buck – $15 million

If you follow any MLB or NFL meme related accounts on social media, then you definitely know who Joe Buck is, as he’s been the main target of mockery and dissing in sports for over a decade.

However, he just doesn’t get the respect and praise he’s due. ‘Now here’s a guy’ that has been a perennial play-by-play analyst in both the World Series and the Super Bowl for twenty years. He excels at both sports and often provides thorough and non-biased analysis.

4. Tony Romo – $17 million

Tony Romo had a career full of ups and downs, injuries, and infamous meltdowns in clutch situations. However, he’s proven to be a master at reading the game of football at the highest level.

His ability to call plays long before they happened made CBS go all-in on Romo as their main guy on the booth from now on, thus handing him a huge paycheck. To put this in context, he never made more than 8 million on his career until his final four years in the NFL.

3. Troy Aikman – $18 million

The legendary Dallas Cowboys quarterback is quite an authorized voice when talking about football, so there’s no wonder why ESPNturned their attention to him as one of the most beloved guys in America’s Team’s history.

Troy Aikman provides his expert insight on every single play and he’s been a part of their broadcasting crew for over a decade. He’ll even argue with Joe Buck on live television, which only makes people love him even more.

2. Jim Rome – $30 million

Yes, I know what you’re thinking. I couldn’t believe it either, but yes, Jim Rome is making 30 million dollars per year. That’s how good he is, that’s how much he’s meant to CBS throughout the course of his career.

Rome covers every sport and can discuss them at a high level, for sure, and has had some of the most iconic interviews in recent sports history. That’s why some consider him the ‘most respected voice in the world of sports broadcasting’, although he’s had his fair share of controversies as well.

1 – Tom Brady – $37.5 million

Tom Brady has yet to begin his new job after retiring from football, but the legendary quarterback has already secured a deal that will makehim the highest-paid sports analyst of all time.

The former Patriots and Buccaneers signal-caller struck a 10-year,$375 million deal with FOX that will see him make a mind-boggling $37.5 million per year – making more than mostNFL players. Not bad at all, right?