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USA TODAY Sports’ Tom Pelissero explains why Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo decided to retire from the game and reflects on how the former All-Pro will be remembered.
USA TODAY Sports

Tony Romo’s decision to retire from the Dallas Cowboys after 14 seasons and join CBS as its new lead analyst on NFL broadcasts has officially left Phil Simms in limbo.

But Simms could still have a future at the network after almost two decades of faithful service in his now former role.

“As we welcome Tony, we want to acknowledge Phil Simms who served as our lead NFL analyst for nearly 20 years,” CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus said in a statement Tuesday afternoon.

MORE ROMO COVERAGE

“Phil has been a very important part of our coverage since the NFL returned to CBS in 1998. His strong opinions, coupled with his tremendous knowledge and passion for the National Football League, has created a unique broadcasting style making him one of the best analysts to ever call the game. We are discussing with Phil his future role with CBS Sports. We cannot thank him enough for the way he has represented himself and CBS Sports during his tenure as CBS’s lead NFL analyst.”

Simms’ long-time representative Steve Rosner told Tara Sullivan of North Jersey Media Group and the USA TODAY Network that the analyst had not been fired.

“Absolutely not,”Rosner said. “He has multiple years left on his contract. I’ve had a few brief discussions with CBS in regard to the future and we have decided at the moment that we will regroup within the next month or so and figure out what his future role will be.”

Before embarking on his broadcast career in 1994, Simms spent 15 seasons as quarterback of the New York Giants and was named MVP of Super Bowl XXI.

PHOTOS: Tony Romo through the years

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