Texans might be right fit for Romo
Broncos also could offer Cowboys QB good landing spot
Tony Romo will have a new football home in 2017 — it’s only a matter of where and when.
Whether he’s released or traded by the Dallas Cowboys, it’s clear Romo and his $24.7 million cap hit for next season are no longer a fit for the only NFL team he has known. But Romo would plug in nicely in a lot of other lineups around the league. Here are eight destinations that make sense on various levels.
Houston Texans: This is a potentially perfect marriage and, according to an ESPN report, Romo’s top choice. He would join a team that has won the maligned AFC South the last two years despite a 9-7 record and woeful quarterback contributions each time. Houston’s primary offensive weapons (running back Lamar Miller and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins) were inhibited by Brock Osweiler’s struggles in 2016, which caused coach Bill O’Brien to yank out any hair he had left. Romo, supported by a defense that ranked first without J.J. Watt, could change all that — though the Texans would need to fortify the pass protection in front of him. Houston’s cap situation means Romo probably would have to accept less here than at other places, but it does send him to a potential contender.
Denver Broncos: They are a year removed from winning a title with a defense that remains airtight and a severely limited veteran quarterback, which is what Peyton Manning was at the end of his run. If Romo is healthy, his physical ability would surpass the 2015 version of Manning and recharge an offense that ranked 27th despite having two 1,000yard receivers in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Trevor Siemian and/or Paxton Lynch probably could benefit from more time watching an established passer, too, knowing it likely wouldn’t be long before one of them reclaims the reins.
Kansas City Chiefs: Are they broke? Or do they even need to be fixed? Coach Andy Reid and quarterback Alex Smith have led Kansas City to the postseason three times in four years, yet the Chiefs’ only playoff win came against an underwhelming Texans squad in the 2015 wild-card round. Reid and general manager
John Dorsey have publicly endorsed Smith, who will be 33 in May and has two years left on his deal. But Smith has never passed for 4,000 yards or 30 touchdowns in a season, a pair of plateaus Romo has scaled four times apiece. Isn’t it a move at least worth considering for a team that seems built to win now?
Chicago Bears: Jerry Jones surely wouldn’t want to see Romo remain in the NFC. But the Windy City could be the landing spot since it seems Jay Cutler has finally worn out his welcome. Running back Jordan Howard and wide receiver Cameron Meredith form a potent young tandem for an offense that could make a quantum leap with a capable quarterback and potential contributions from wide receivers Alshon Jeffery, who could be re-signed, and Kevin White. And this defense is poised to take off if it picks up a few more points per week of support.
New York Jets: Given current options Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg, who didn’t play as a rookie, there’s an obvious need. Despite a 5-11 record last season, there’s talent. Romo could join far less capable offenses than one that features Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, Matt Forte and Bilal Powell. And despite a poor showing last year,
the Jets defense could easily transform into a unit better than any that backed Romo in Dallas. The Jets also have a history of acquiring quarterbacks (Boomer Esiason, Vinny Testaverde, Brett Favre) in the twilights of their careers.
Buffalo Bills: If they decide to move on from Tyrod Taylor, the Bills would find second-year man Cardale Jones atop their depth chart. But Buffalo would still own the league’s No. 1 rushing attack (though Taylor was a big part of that), a talented receiver (Sammy Watkins), a sturdy offensive line and a defense that has loads of talent ready to be harnessed by new coach Sean McDermott. But financial considerations aside, it’s worth wondering if Romo thinks his best shot at a ring would come playing for an AFC East pretender such as the Bills (or the Jets).
Minnesota Vikings: Yes, they have two quarterbacks. But Teddy Bridgewater’s availability remains an open question, and Romo’s skill set is clearly superior to that of Sam Bradford, who has an illustrious injury history himself. Romo, whose path crossed with current Vikings coach Mike Zimmer in Dallas early in his career, would certainly be an intriguing addition to a team that would love to be the first to “host” a Super Bowl next season.
Acquiring Romo would allow Minnesota to deal Bradford, potentially recouping the firstround pick it surrendered to get him in September.
San Francisco 49ers: It would be pretty spiffy to watch Romo and new coach Kyle Shanahan revitalize the Niners ... and perhaps rekindle a long-dormant rivalry with the Cowboys. But aside from Shanahan’s gifts as an offensive architect and loads of salary cap space that could foreshadow a quick turnaround and the most lucrative contract Romo might command, San Francisco doesn’t have a lot else to offer a soon-to-be 37-year-old who might have only another two or three years left as an effective starter.