It’s a move that completely changes the complexion of the free agent market and it’s happening in about 24 hours or less. The Dallas Cowboys announced Wednesday that they will be releasing quarterback Tony Romo, the team’s all-time leading passer.
There are two certain facts that come out of this impending move. The first is the Cowboys are all in on Dak Prescott and they should be. The second is that owner Jerry Jones has a legitimate affection for Romo because this move did not have to happen.
The Cowboys could have held out for a trade and recouped his cap number for this season or just kept him on the roster as insurance. Instead, Jones set Romo free to make his own deal and pick his own team and future. It won’t be cheap.
Cowboys are releasing Tony Romo on Thursday, sources tell @toddarcher and me.
Let the Romo recruiting in Houston and Denver begin.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 8, 2017
If Dallas designates Romo a June 1st cut, he’ll cost them $10.7 million this season and $8.9 million in 2018. If he’s just a regular cut, the Cowboys eat $19.6 million in dead cap this season, but he’s completely off the books next year. The positive outcome either way is Dallas will have more cap space than the pitiful $8.352 million they’re looking at right now.
As for the Cowboys’ plans post Romo, they only have one QB currently under contract and that’s Prescott. They’ll need some insurance and are reportedly looking hard at Cleveland Browns cast-off Josh McCown in that role. They could also bring back Mark Sanchez or Kellen Moore in a back up role and either of those moves seem more likely to me. Sanchez was one of Prescott’s best assets on the sideline last season and the Cowboys may not want to fix what ain’t broken. Sanchez will certainly be cheaper than McCown to sign.
As for Romo, some team is about to win the lottery barring any catastrophic injury to the franchise quarterback. The only problem with that statement is that Romo has suffered two of those injuries in consecutive years. It will probably keep his price down, but at this point Romo shouldn’t be worried so much about money. He should be focused on winning a title with a contender.
Cowboys to move on from QB Tony Romo: https://t.co/FbpSH8wGvU (via @RapSheet + @SlaterNFL) pic.twitter.com/pXzpPoSV7g
— NFL (@NFL) March 8, 2017
By virtue of his free agency, Romo isn’t stuck looking at AFC teams, but is free to sign with anybody. And while it seems to make the whole Romo to Redskins, Cousins to 49ers move a possibility, I can’t see that happening. Washington can’t roll the dice on Romo when they can lock in Kirk Cousins for the next six or seven years.
Are any other NFC teams in play? None that make any sense to me. Romo would be a significant upgrade for the Arizona Cardinals, but head coach Bruce Arians is married to Carson Palmer. There’s been some rumbling about Romo to the Los Angeles Rams, but Sean McVay was brought in to develop Jared Goff. Benching him for Romo would seem to retard that significantly.
The Chicago Bears have a glaring need at QB, but I don’t see the incentive for Romo to sign onto a team in a full rebuild. Frankly, I don’t see the incentive a team rebuilding to sign Romo. That hsould also knock out the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets in the AFC.
@tonyromo Been an honor to broadcast your career so far. Much respect to you. Wish you the best and especially good health. #greatcompetitor
— Brad Sham (@Boys_Vox) March 8, 2017
The Buffalo Bills had an opening before this morning and have to be kicking their own asses right now and coming to a new contract agreement with Tyrod Taylor. I’ll talk more on that later today and why it was such a mistake.
That just leaves the Denver Broncos and the Houston Texans as the most realistic Romo destinations. And, frankly, I guarantee they are one and two in some order on his list.
Everyone, and I mean everyone, pegged Romo to the Broncos the minute Dak Prescott secured the Cowboys job five games into last season so that will always make the most sense. If the Broncos do bring in Romo, that spells the end to Trevor Siemian’s time with the team, but the young guy will find plenty of willing suitors in free agency. Siemian proved himself a high-end back up at worst that can win in the NFL. There will be a market for him.
Entering Wednesday, Tony Romo had highest salary-cap hit of any player at $24.7M. Conversely, Dak Prescott’s 2017 salary-cap hit is $635K.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 8, 2017
If the Texans are the team then Brock Osweiler will be cut loose. While Osweiler will find a tougher market than Siemian to find a job, he’ll still land on a roster at a significantly lower price tag than the one Houston paid last season. Frankly, I haven’t given up on Osweiler as an NFL starter so if I’m the Browns, Bears or Jets, I’m keeping a close eye on this one.
To make a wager on any sport, go to the world famous Diamond Sportsbook by clicking here.
