Tony Romo Trade Rumors: Latest News, Speculation on Cowboys QB

Tyler ConwayJan 15, 2017

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo's future is in question following Dak Prescott's phenomenal rookie season. It's the franchise's biggest question mark heading into the offseason.

Continue for updates.

TOP NEWS

Romo Reportedly Expecting Release, Not Trade

Thursday, Feb. 16

Ed Werder of ESPN reported Romo is anticipating the Cowboys releasing him and that the quarterback believes he can start two or three more seasons despite his age and injury history.

Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported on Feb. 2 that Romo would like to be traded to a team contending for the playoffs and a Super Bowl title, and he specifically mentioned the Houston Texans among the teams he'd like to go to. La Canfora added the Buffalo Bills are interested but would need to sell Romo on any potential trade to get him there.

Romo Not Looking to Retire

Sunday, Feb. 5

ESPN.com's Adam Schefter, citing league sources, reported on Sunday morning that "Romo remains determined to play in 2017 and has no plans to retire." Schefter continued:

"
Romo turns 37 in April, is coming off a significant back injury and already, according to sources, has received strong interest from networks that want him to work as a color analyst.
But Romo still wants to play, and determining which team he'll play for will be the subject of much speculation in the weeks to come.
Networks have been calling Romo to take a place in the television booth on Sundays, according to sources. But Romo wants to speak with teams before he speaks to any viewers.
"

Romo Reportedly Wants to Play Cowboys with New Team

Wednesday, Feb. 1

Jason Cole of Bleacher Report reported Romo would like to play against the Cowboys during the 2017 season. Cole cited the Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, Arizona Cardinals and Washington Redskins as potential landing spots:

Denver Not Interested in Romo Trade, Could Consider QB on Open Market

Sunday, Jan. 29

On Jan. 15, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the Broncos are "not inclined" to trade for Romo, which means the only way he could land in Colorado is via free agency.

Mike Klis of 9News.com reported Sunday about that possibility: "A source in the Broncos' football department did not dismiss the possibility of bringing in the Dallas Cowboys quarterback—providing the situation reaches the point where Romo is no longer Cowboys' property."

Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders appeared on GameDay Morning on Jan. 22 and was asked about potentially playing with Romo, via Conor Orr of NFL.com:

"
I believe I would benefit. But one thing about it is: I'm always gonna take it back and I'm just gonna put it on (general manager) John Elway. In John Elway I trust. If he does bring him over, I think Tony Romo will fit good in (offensive coordinator Mike) McCoy's system. It's a no-huddle, up-tempo offense. I think that it's gonna be similar to the Cowboys. I think he has Demaryius Thomas and some receiver No. 10 on the other side. I feel like we will win ballgames with Tony Romo or potentially a championship. At the same time, Paxton Lynch played in a spread offense at Memphis and he can be successful. I think Trevor (Siemian) can be successful. We'll see what we do. I can't sit up here and say 'Bring Tony Romo!' because I also have two other quarterbacks that are playing really well too.
"

The Broncos are a natural fit for Romo given their need for a quarterback and Super Bowl-ready defense. Siemian put together a middling season as part of the Broncos' 9-7 campaign, and Lynch looked far from ready during his limited snaps.

Equipped with a pair of Pro Bowlers in Thomas and Sanders at receiver, the Broncos offer Romo perhaps his best potential supporting cast.

But if Denver is unwilling to part with a draft pick in exchange, Romo might go to the highest bidder.

Stephen Jones Comments on Romo's Future

Saturday, Jan. 21

"You've got the wrong guy on the phone right now," Stephen Jones, the Cowboys' executive vice president, told 105.3 The Fan in an interview (via the Dallas Morning News). He continued:

"
I'm sure as we move forward, obviously, there are two really important people in this mix. First and foremost will be [owner] Jerry [Jones] and then, of course, Tony. I read where Jason said his wish is that Tony, whatever happens here, is happy. I'm sure most people feel that way.
At the same time, we all know we're in a business. It's something here that will be, obviously, handled with, if you will, kid gloves. And something that we'll work through and when we're ready to have any comments about it, I know Jerry and Tony will be the ones to do that.
"

Jones Comments on Romo's Future

Tuesday, Jan. 17

Team owner Jones spoke about Romo's status with the team moving forward during an appearance on 105.3 The Fan's Shan and RJ show (h/t the Dallas Morning News' Jon Machota):

"
I don't have to get into that at all, and I'm not. As a matter of fact, there are several cards to be played. Don't think for one minute if you see something written or something said about what and where Romo is going to be, relative to our team, that there's any credibility to it.
There's only one that can make that decision, and there's been no decision made.
"

Garrett Comments on Romo's Future

Monday, Jan. 16

Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett told reporters he would not name a starting quarterback for next season but said that they will "talk in detail" about Romo's situation going forward.

Romo May Have Played Final Game with Cowboys

Monday, Jan. 16

Schefter reported that "most people believe" Romo's time with the Cowboys is up after the Green Bay Packers eliminated Dallas on Jan. 15. Rapoport added the Cowboys will try to trade Romo.

Romo Would Net Decent Return on Trade Market

Romo, 36, has three years remaining on his contract with the Cowboys. While he carries a cap number of $24.7 million next season, it's unlikely the Cowboys will outright release him. Per Spotrac, Dallas would take a $19.6 million cap hit if Romo is released, making the net savings a little over $5 million.

While that surcharge will still count against the cap with a trade, Dallas would net something of value in return. Romo, even at his advanced age, should be worth a decent draft pick to a team looking to get over the hump

Schefter and Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com reported on Nov. 23 general managers project a "mid- to late-round conditional pick" going the Cowboys' way for Romo. However, that is speaking in a vacuum. If Dallas can get a couple of teams in a bidding war, it might be able to leverage a Day 2 pick out of the situation.

The Cowboys appear set to be moving on from their longtime quarterback in one way or another this offseason. Romo was the team's starting quarterback for a decade before a back injury last preseason saw Prescott unseat him, with the rookie proceeding to lead the Cowboys to a 13-3 record and the top seed in the NFC.

The veteran Romo threw four passes all year, leading a touchdown drive in a Week 17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Garrett commented on how Romo handled the relegation to a backup role, per Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: "He's a great person first and foremost. And he's put so much into this throughout his career. It's been a challenging situation for him. But he's handled it like a professional, publicly, privately. He's done everything he can to help our football team."