NFL trade rumors: Tony Romo, Kirk Cousins part of 3-way deal

The Cowboys, Redskins and 49ers are working on an “unprecedented” three way deal that includes Kirk Cousins and Tony Romo, per a report.

Ian Rapoport has the word on an “unprecedented” trade in the NFL, a three-way affair that would bring Kirk Cousins from Washington to the San Francisco 49ers, Tony Romo from Dallas to Washington and draft picks to the Cowboys. The details are still unknown at this time.

Tony Romo has been the subject of talks for several teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals. Others have indicated an interest, but those were Romo’s rumored four teams he liked the most. That said, the Cowboys had yet to release Romo and could be hoping to receive something in a deal for him.

Jerry Jones and Romo are close, and rumors out of Dallas were that the team’s owner was going to “do right” by him, so to speak and allow the veteran to head to the team of his choice. But if there are considerable draft assets coming in return from either the 49ers or the Redskins, then it might change his mind. Or perhaps even Romo feels okay about starting in the nation’s capital.

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It’s hard to tell what exactly Washington might expect from Romo as their new starter after Cousins’ solid success the last two seasons. Romo’s last full season was back in 2014 and back problems tend to get worse with age and the obvious hits that will come being back under center. But when Romo was healthy, he was very good, leading the Cowboys to a 12-3 record in his last full season. Even in limited duty in 2015, Romo looked great, and obviously any trade would depend on Romo passing a physical for Washington.

As for Kirk Cousins, it’s a unexpected change of scenery but it’s also the only destination that made any sense other than staying in Washington. Cousins, if traded, would be playing once again for now-head coach Kyle Shanahan after enjoying success under his tutelage in Washington two seasons ago. Shanahan spent last year as the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons. Last season, Cousins completed 67% of his passes and finished just shy of 5,000 passing yards (4,917) with 25 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

The Niners are moving on from Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert is also a free agent. The 49ers have the second pick in the draft, but trading for a proven product like Cousins allows them to focus on a Myles Garrett type of impact player to help rebuild their defense. Cousins was officially given the franchise tag just days ago, which keeps him under team control for another year, but if traded, expect the 49ers to make every effort to go ahead and lock up Cousins for the long-term with a nice new extension.

All of this is, of course, just a rumor from Rapoport at this point. The particulars, the physicals, the money and the idea that the Cowboys would do this deal within their own division are all hurdles to get through. But if so, Rapoport will be right that this is, indeed, “unprecedented.”