Tony Romo reveals ‘simple’ reason he never left Cowboys to chase elusive Super Bowl

As he was contemplating retirement, Tony Romo had an important decision to make: go elsewhere to chase an elusive Super Bowl, or retire a Cowboy without a ring.

He chose the latter.

While on an episode of Pardon My Take," the former quarterback and current CBS Sports broadcaster said he considered chasing a Super Bowl elsewhere but added that it wouldn't feel the same as winning one with the Cowboys.

But at the end it was like ... I could go somewhere else and do it (win a Super Bowl). Because I was like, I gotta win a Super Bowl. It's literally what you play the game for. Nothing else matters," Romo said. And it was just like ... but would that be the same? If I went somewhere else and did it?"

I think just ... it was as simple as it just wouldn't feel as ... important. ... It would be important to me, but it was for the people I was around."

Former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo warms up for a game. AP

Earlier on the podcast, Romo also said his lone career regret was not bringing the Lombardi trophy home to a Cowboys fanbase starving for one.

The only regret I guess I would have is that my job was to bring a Super Bowl to Dallas and I didn't do it," Romo said. So that always sticks with me a little bit. Because you give your whole body, heart, soul, everything into it."

The only regret I guess I would have is that my job was to bring a Super Bowl to Dallas and I didn't do it" -Tony Romo https://t.co/0eXjkMxOTEpic.twitter.com/7B23BVNLPR

- Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) July 13, 2026

Romo spent 12 years with the Cowboys, tossing 34,183 yards and 248 touchdowns with 117 interceptions.

The signal-caller was a four-time Pro Bowler and had a career-best year in 2014.

In 2014, Romo led the NFL in passer rating and completion percentage and was a second-team All-Pro.

Tony Romo runs with the ball. Getty Images

He battled injuries toward the end of his career, and Dak Prescott took his job for good in 2016.

Even with all the regular season success, Romo couldn't get the Cowboys to the Super Bowl - let alone the NFC Championship.