Tony Romo rumors: Broncos in ‘driver’s seat’ for Cowboys quarterback
By Matt Conner
Ian Rapoport says the Denver Broncos are now “clearly in the driver’s seat” among teams potentially hoping to land Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.
The Kansas City Chiefs were, at one point, considered among the favorites for Tony Romo’s future home. The current Dallas Cowboys quarterback is likely on the move since the Cowboys already have Dak Prescott entrenched as the starter heading into his second year. Romo wants to start again and Jerry Jones, the Cowboys owner, is likely going to cater to Romo’s desire.
Ian Rapoport from NFL.com says the Denver Broncos are now the favorite team to sign Tony Romo, if he is released and if he is willing to take less money to play for them. In a recent video report, Rapoport said:
"“They’re not going to be able to do anything until after the league year begins, because if they do end up cutting him, which seems like the more realistic option now rather than trading him … if they want to split his cap hit over this year and next year, they have to do it after the league year begins. Plus they can’t stand the cap charge of releasing him now. Nothing can happen until after the league year starts regardless.“At this point, just judging from the teams available, given Clark Hunt’s comments to the Kansas City Star that Alex Smith is going to be the Chiefs quarterback for 2017, it seems the Broncos are clearly in the driver’s seat now for the potential free agent Tony Romo sweepstakes if he is willing to take a pay cut … it seems like the Broncos and then everyone else.”"
The Cowboys have not yet said whether they will trade or release Romo, but the chances are likely that the latter will occur unless a desperate enough team wants to offer up something valuable enough to trump giving Romo what he wants. Romo has been a very valuable starter at quarterback in the past but he played sparingly over the last two seasons. His last full year as a starter was back in 2014.
The Broncos have been considered a likely landing spot along with the Chiefs because they are in a similar position. They have a playoff-ready defense with plenty of offensive targets but a middling performance from Trevor Siemian this last season at quarterback and the uncertainty of going with Paxton Lynch could force John Elway to look elsewhere for a temporary measure at the game’s most important position. Romo, if healthy, would certainly be an upgrade and provides a bit of veteran insurance and mentorship for Lynch, last year’s first round draft choice.