Tony Romo’s NFL future is unclear, but one thing is becoming more certain: It won’t include the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys are likely to release Romo when NFL free agency officially begins Thursday unless they receive a substantial trade offer for the veteran quarterback, CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora reported Wednesday.
Hearing there is a very strong likelihood that barring a strong trade offer the Cowboys release Tony Romo tomorrow. Let the chase begin
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 8, 2017
That’s good news for the several NFL teams reportedly interested in trading for Romo. The Denver Broncos and Houston Texans are considered the early favorites to land the 36-year-old, who reportedly is interested in joining an AFC contender, and Wednesday’s news suggests the chase for Romo could come down to a bidding war in free agency rather than a potential last-minute trade.
Either way, it appears Dallas is content on moving forward with reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Dak Prescott. Prescott staked his claim on the Cowboys’ starting QB job in 2016, leading the team to a 13-3 record after Romo suffered a back injury in preseason.
That means Romo is all but certain to begin 2017 on another team, ending a 13-year run in Dallas that saw him earn four Pro Bowl nods.
UPDATE (1:50 p.m.): It appears that “strong trade offer” isn’t coming down the pipe anytime soon.
Cowboys are releasing Tony Romo on Thursday, sources tell @toddarcher and me.
Let the Romo recruiting in Houston and Denver begin.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 8, 2017
Thumbnail photo via Eric Hartline/USA TODAY Sports Images