Tony Romo expects release, not trade, from Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo expects to hit free agency instead of being traded, per a report from ESPN’s Ed Werder.

The Tony Romo sweepstakes might be much more interesting if the veteran quarterback is right about hitting free agency. Ed Werder has the report that Romo expects to be released by the Dallas Cowboys rather than being traded, despite rumors to the contrary.

The Kansas City Chiefs have been linked in every column concerning Tony Romo’s future as a popular place for the former Pro Bowler to land. Despite his recent injury history, Romo is reportedly healthy and ready to start, and a team with many Pro Bowl players already in place like the Chiefs could see themselves as a Super Bowl contender with Romo at the helm.

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That said, it will be nearly two years since Romo has played a meaningful game, and at age 37, his best years are most certainly behind him. Given that the Chiefs already have committed to Alex Smith, and as well as Smith already knows the playbook, the Chiefs might not be interested internally despite the external consensus that he could be a good match for Andy Reid’s offense.

If Romo is right and he is released, it sets up a very interesting scenario for the Chiefs. On the negative side, they will have to compete with every other team in the NFL for his services, if they are interested. Before, it was possible for them to secure his services in a trade for the right price (rumors were circulating that a third round pick might get a deal done with Jerry Jones). Free agency changes the entire approach.

However, if Romo is looking for an immediate chance to start and win, he’s going to only have a few possibilities. The Chiefs were already the No. 2 seed in the AFC and it’s clear their window is right now. Romo would likely enjoy the thought of having receiving options like Jeremy Maclin, Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill and Chris Conley to go with the possible return of Jamaal Charles. In short, the Chiefs would have to feel good about their chances to sway Romo.

In his last full season for the Cowboys in 2014, Romo went 12-3 as a starter and threw for 3,705 yards with a league-leading 69.9% completion percentage. He threw 34 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.