Two solid teams with histories of recent success, but lacking the over-the-hump win that would have elevated them to Super Bowl contention.
The Texans and Chiefs may think Tony Romo is what’s been missing.
Houston and Kansas City are the most likely landing spots for the Cowboys quarterback, according to The MMQB, as the fragile, aging, formidable Romo surveys the landscape.
The 13-year veteran who’ll be 37 in April still wants to play, even with his balky back, millions in the bank and his job stolen by Dak Prescott. According to the report, Romo turned down an off-the-field job this offseason, a signal that he’s not willing to call it quits. Many teams would love to roll the dice on the at-times brilliant, at-more-times hurt quarterback — the Jets, Bears, 49ers, Chargers, Bills and possibly Redskins, to name a few, have a QB opening — but the Texans and Chiefs may stand apart.
Both have been playoff fixtures, with strong defenses winning enough regular-season games but not enough postseason ones. The Chiefs house Alex Smith, a former No. 1 pick who’s turned into a solid signal-caller with a ceiling he’s already reached. The Texans hold Brock Osweiler, their supposed QB of the future until he busted on the field, along with Tom Savage, the Rutgers product who doesn’t have a lengthy resume but does have the backing of coach Bill O’Brien.
Right now, Romo can’t make his decision; he’s still a Cowboy. But with a contract through 2019 that brings him $54 million over the next three seasons, the odds would indicate he would be a cap casualty before Dallas would trade him. Helping those odds are his relationship with owner Jerry Jones, who may allow his pal his choice of next step instead of the Cowboys dealing him without consent. ESPN reported on Thursday that Romo expects a release, not a trade.
Assuming he’s given the choice, it would be a difficult one. Houston is close to home for Romo, whose wife is pregnant with their third child. O’Brien may prefer Patriots backup Jimmy Garoppolo, but the price would be hefty — and that’s if New England deals him. Having Romo carry the offense for as long as he stays upright, with Savage in the wings if disaster strikes, would make Houston a threat.
Kansas City is already a contender, having won the AFC West last season before losing to Pittsburgh in the divisional round. Smith is a quarterback at its most conservative: a shallow arm, plus a brain that knows what happens if he tests it. Romo, at his Cowboys best, was a two-dimensional weapon, feet fleet enough to save a broken play with a gun-slinging cannon that could turn games in an instant. But would Kansas City take the risk and bench its two-time Pro Bowl quarterback?
The Cowboys have to get under the salary cap by March 9, when the league year begins. That may be when the musical chairs begins.
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