Now that the Dallas Cowboys season is officially over, Tony Romo is most likely relieved. Where will he go now? The Denver Broncos is looking like a serious landing spot and that is quite enticing since the only thing they might be missing is a quarterback.
While Romo did nothing wrong this year to lose his job, other than not be available, it is unsure at what type of level he can play at. He is 36 years old and has been plagued by injuries, but when healthy, he is close to the to the top-tier of quarterbacks.
Today, Ian Rappoport reported that the Cowboys number one offseason priority is to trade Romo. Since he has a huge contract, it could make it hard. Dak Prescott has just played too good for the Cowboys to consider having Romo be the starter. Now that he is the backup, unloading the contract and using the money elsewhere is atop the list.
Supposedly Romo’s number one destination is Denver, but they do like their young QB’s in Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch so it is unlikely they would trade anything away to get him. Romo going to Denver does bring back memories to the oddly similar Peyton Manning story. Manning had a few surgeries and the Colts were ready to move on but Denver won the future HOF QB sweepstakes and he brought them to two Super Bowls, including a victory last year. John Elway might want to look into what the price for Romo would be if he believes they are just a QB away from getting back to the big game.
Another AFC team that feels they are just a QB away from becoming a contender is the New York Jets. Sam Kobylar proposed an intriguing idea that the Jets could trade Sheldon Richardson for Romo. With Richardson entering a contract year and the Cowboys defensive line as thin as they come, it strikes as the perfect trade. The Jets have gone after washed up vets year after year, but this trade could actually equal some wins next year. Richardson will demand a huge new contract and the Jets already have a couple of other great defensive lineman in Leonard Williams and Muhammad Wilkerson, so it just makes a whole lot of sense. For Dallas, they would get a pro bowl caliber lineman for a backup QB, a steal.
The last team that I think could contend with the addition of Romo, would be the Arizona Cardinals. Carson Palmer had a down year and the Cardinals window could be closing for a Super Bowl run. Arizona underachieved at every level other than the run game this season. A big reason was their quarterback play. Arizona has weapons everywhere, though. David Johnson has solidified himself as one of the best backs in the league and brings an all-around game that may only be topped by Le’Veon Bell. Bleacher Report’s Joseph Zucker wrote an article stating that Larry Fitzgerald is still debating whether or not to retire. Tony Romo coming to town could really help him lean one way. An offense with David Johnson and Chris Johnson in the backfield and Larry Fitzgerald, J.J. Nelson, John Brown and Jaron Brown spreading out the field, headed by Romo running the show could be lethal. While discussing what Arizona could trade to the Cowboys it is hard to see what pieces would headline the trade. It would have to involve a first round pick, but it could be worth it in the end.
Although Romo wants to go to Denver, he is not the one in charge unless he is released. Being released is highly doubtful because he was playing at a high level before he was injured and the Cowboys want to shed his contract AND add a piece or two. The time will come soon, but for now, we just have to wait.
