There has been plenty of speculation about the future of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo after he lost his starting job to Dak Prescott, with many expecting him to change teams in the offseason so he can start.
The Cowboys may be inclined to trade him, but Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that Romo may ask for his release once the season ends - and that he'd likely get it.
As one source with knowledge of the situation recently explained it, Romo may be inclined to request a release in lieu of a trade. This would maximize his options and, in turn, ensure that his new team won’t be diluting its roster by giving up draft picks and/or players.
It was reported several weeks ago that Romo is eyeing the Broncos. He’s also keeping tabs on several other teams, potentially including the Cardinals and Dolphins.
The more immediate question is whether at any point between now and the end of the 2016 Romo will be that guy for the Cowboys. Once the season ends, though, a different dance will happen between Romo and the team. With a far lesser degree of ugliness and hard feelings between Romo and owner/G.M. Jerry Jones than existed eight years ago between Brett Favre and Packers G.M. Ted Thompson, the Cowboys may be willing to give Romo a parting gift consisting of the ability to pick his next team unfettered by a trade.
The biggest risk for the Cowboys is that Romo will land in Washington. Again, given the existence of a positive relationship between Romo and Jones, Romo will be far less motivated than Favre was to stick it to the team that no longer wanted him to be its starter.
Romo lost his starting job to Prescott after injuring his back in the preseason, which forced him to miss the first half of the season. Since his return, he has been backing up Prescott.
He also only played in four games in 2015 after fracturing his clavicle twice. In 2014, Romo's last full season, he passed for 3,705 yards with 34 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Follow our Dallas Cowboys news page for all the latest Cowboys news!
Back to the Dallas Cowboys Newsfeed