The future of Tony Romo has been a top storyline in this year's NFL offseason. After the surprising emergence of rookie quarterback Dak Prescott, a fourth-round draft pick, Romo could be on the way out of Dallas. What started as an injury replacement turned into a permanent transfer of the keys to the city from Romo to Prescott. Dak won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award after taking over for the injured Romo. With a huge cap hit coming if Romo is on the books for 2017, Jerry Jones and the Cowboys could look to move Romo or release him. Many people have speculated where Romo could go after his departure from Dallas but I will lay out where he SHOULD go after he is likely released. I will start from potential mistakes, to lateral moves, to good moves, until finally the perfect fit.
Mistakes (New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars)
That's a whole lot of potential disasters. A 37-year-old Tony Romo starting for any of these teams would not make any sense. All of these franchises missed the playoffs last year and are in rebuilding mode. The Bears are his hometown team and the Jets would make for a media frenzy, but at this point in his career, Romo is looking to win a championship. None of these teams listed are even close to winning a Super Bowl. A rebuilding team is just not going to cut it for Romo. He's made his money, now he wants to win, and it's now or never.
Lateral Moves(Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Redskins)
Staying as the backup in Dallas or joining Arizona or Washington wouldn't be the worst move Romo could make, but it wouldn't be the best either. He most likely would rather chase a championship as a starter for another team than watch Prescott chase a championship from the sidelines. Arizona has Carson Palmer and Washington has Kirk Cousins. Both are returning to their teams for 2017 despite some questions. If Arizona or Washington pull the trigger on Romo and insert him as the starter, they instantly become a better team and improve the quarterback position. But, I don't see the interest being there from Romo's side and I don't see the Cardinals or Redskins being as desperate to land Romo as other teams are with Palmer and Cousins already in place. Also, neither the Cardinals nor Redskins are contenders. However, it would've been fun to see Romo face the Cowboys twice a year as a member of the Redskins.
Good Moves(Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs)
In either of these situations, Romo will be on the favorite to dethrone the Patriots in the AFC. Kansas City won the AFC West last year and Denver is two years removed from a Super Bowl championship. Even though they missed the playoffs last year, the Broncos offer a talented team, just missing a quarterback to get back to the promise land. They have a good defense and Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders are a quarterback's dream wide receiver tandem. Kansas City has Alex Smith, but he is more of a game manager. He's not the playmaker that Romo is. The Chiefs have a great defense and exciting young offensive weapons such as Spencer Ware, Tyreek Hill, and Travis Kelce. Either team would significantly improve and personally, I think either would be great to watch. I just question whether they would have enough interest to spend money on Romo with Alex Smith in place for the Chiefs and Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch being groomed with the Broncos.
The Perfect Fit(Houston Texans)
The Texans are the perfect destination for Romo. He would have arguably the top defense in the NFL, and play in the worst division in the NFL. Houston should want him as they struck out terribly last year in free agency with Brock Osweiler. The Texans won the AFC South last year but most importantly, they have the support that Romo needs. Houston has a top running back in Lamar Miller and a top wide receiver in DeAndre Hopkins. Also, their offensive line is a little better than Denver's and Kansas City's. That is key because Romo cannot take many more hits after being injured for the last two years. Romo has been asked to carry a team before but he fares much better with a great running game. Houston offers the best running game with Lamar Miller. Romo can replicate what he did in 2014 with Demarco Murray. Romo, when not asked to do too much can be an incredibly dangerous quarterback. Also, there's little competition in the AFC South with Tennessee, Indianapolis, and Jacksonville not worrying anyone. The AFC West is much more competitive as the Chiefs and Raiders both went 12-4 and the Broncos aren't far behind. And the opportunity to be coached by Bill O'Brien, who came from the Bill Belichick staff in New England is more attractive than Vance Joseph, rookie head coach from the Broncos. Last but not least, Romo wouldn't have to go far. He would be going from Dallas to Houston. Staying in the same state, especially one without an income tax, has to be attractive to Romo.
