The Dallas Cowboys have been a pipeline for NFL broadcasters, with their most visible former player being current CBS lead color commentator Tony Romo. The Jim Nantz and Tony Romo booth received great reviews as soon as they debuted, which has CBS looking the former Cowboy route again to fill an opening left by Rich Gannon. Former linebacker Sean Lee auditioned to fill Gannon’s spot recently, along with Alex Smith, Mark Sanchez, and Joey Galloway – according to the NY Post.
Lee won’t be a member of the Cowboys defense for the first time since 2010, ending an 11 year career where Lee battled injuries to keep one of the sharpest football minds on the field for Dallas. Should CBS look to any of Lee’s former teammates or coaches as a reference for work ethic, they’ll receive nothing but top notch feedback.
Like Romo, Sean Lee has a natural understanding for the game that some thought would make it difficult for the former Cowboys QB to resonate with the average fan. Where Romo bridged this gap by being a loveable personality on the air, it remains to be seen how Lee can work in front of the camera.
Two of the candidates that Lee is competing with are already on TV with ESPN. Sanchez and Galloway primarily work in college football, with Galloway adding the XFL to his broadcasting portfolio in 2019.
Alex Smith joins Lee in his first season of retirement, giving CBS the chance to act fast and put the 2020 Comeback Player of the Year on their airwaves this season. They’ll have to compete with FOX, NFL Network, and ESPN who also reportedly are interested in Smith.
Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy has already said he’d welcome discussing a role for Lee on the coaching staff. The former coach-on-the-field would be welcomed around The Star as if he never left. The same was of course said about Romo upon his retirement, before CBS’ offer to immediately pair him with Nantz blew any offers out of the water. Lee is auditioning for a spot a bit lower on the analyst depth chart, giving him time to weigh his post playing career options.
