Passing up Romo likely
Elway: Broncos focused on developing Siemian, Lynch, not on acquiring Dallas QB
phoenix» The Broncos have a plan, and it may not match what so many have believed or have speculated about for months.
Tony Romo’s future continues to hang in the balance and has hovered over the NFL meetings this week, but the odds against the 36-year-old quarterback taking the reins in Denver appear increasingly long.
Broncos general manager John Elway said Monday the Broncos haven’t had any discussions at the meetings about Romo and that their focus remains on developing their young quarterbacks.
“Nope. Same old thing. He’s still under contract with the Cowboys,” Elway said of Romo. “Like we’ve said, we really feel good about the two young ones that we have. Trevor (Siemian) did a good job for us last year and Paxton (Lynch) was young. The plan is to stay the course there and see what’s available in the (April 2729) draft. We’ll go from there.”
Elway’s comments were stronger than what he offered the last time he addressed the team’s quarterback situation. Earlier this month he said he was pleased with Siemian and Lynch but that the Broncos would review every option to improve. By refusing to quash Romo speculation, Elway opened the door ajar for a potential move.
The latter could still happen, of course, but Elway made it clearer Monday that the Broncos are prepared to move forward with their two young quarterbacks while continuing to revamp the roster around them.
Siemian was a surprise in winning the starting job last summer when he beat out Lynch and veteran Mark Sanchez in training camp. He started 14 games, missing two because of injuries. He had elective surgery on his left (nonthrowing) shoulder in January, with the expectation and hope that he would be physically
ready to throw by the start of organized team activities April 10.
Elway said Siemian’s status is still “nip and tuck,” but the team is unconcerned about his status for the start of training camp.
Lynch, meanwhile, has been working out in his home state of Florida with quarterbacks coach Charlie Taaffe, a former University of Central Florida offensive coordinator who helped Lynch prepare for the 2016 scouting combine.
“He’s working hard,” Elway said of Lynch, “and once we get to the offseason program when we can get our hands on them then he’ll be back in town and I look forward to him having a good offseason.”
Siemian and Lynch will, once again, compete for the starting job during the offseason. A third quarterback will be brought in for depth and competition, head coach Vance Joseph said this month, but plans to bring in a veteran starter such as Romo don’t appear to be in the cards.
Romo has three years remaining on his contract with the Cowboys, each with a hefty salary cap hit. For 2017, his deal carries a $19.6 million “dead” money value that will count against the Cowboys’ cap if he is released or traded.
Multiple media outlets reported that Romo was going to be released at the start of free agency March 9. The deadline was arbitrary, however, and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones instead opted to test the trade market instead of releasing Romo outright. Jones has yet to find a trade partner, but the Dallas owner is in no rush. If the Cowboys designate Romo a postJune 1 release, they can spread his dead money over two seasons, lessening the salary cap blow initially but requiring them to carry the full $24.7 million charge until June 1.
The Broncos were in contention for Romo from the start, for multiple reasons. They have more than $20 million in cap space, a pair of 1,000-yard wide receivers in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, a defense that ranks among the NFL’s best, and a lack of star power at the quarterback position since the retirement of Peyton Manning a year ago.
While the door on Romo can’t be completely shut, the Broncos have long attested that they like their current quarterbacks and are focused on developing them.
The Texans, meanwhile, also have a bevy of cap space (more than $30 million) and need not just a starting quarterback but depth at the position.
Romo is a Cowboy for now. He could soon be a Texan, or maybe a retired NFL player with a future in TV.
But a Bronco? It doesn’t appear to be in the plans.
“We feel strong about our two young guys,” Joseph said. “They’re both good guys. Their teammates like playing for them. It’s going to be a spirited competition. I’m looking forward to it. Whoever wins the job, wins the job. Whoever is the backup, guess what? He’s going to be better for it.”