After Tony Romo handed over the reins to Dak Prescott, many assumed the Dallas Cowboys would trade their veteran quarterback to a team that would start him.
But Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said that’s not Dallas’ plan. Jones told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram on Thursday that he hasn’t considered the idea of Romo not suiting up for the Cowboys.
“It’s not a goodbye,” Jones said. “I think Tony has got five years left to really compete for a Super Bowl. I believe Tony will be the quarterback on a Super Bowl team. I believe that strongly.
“We’re talking generic now, and I have no plans for him not to be part of the Dallas Cowboys. Not a consideration.”
However, it’s kind of hard to believe it’ll end up happening that way. Although Romo gave a statement Tuesday offering his support for the rookie Prescott, he also reportedly asked the team if he could compete for his job. Romo’s fate ultimately is up to the Cowboys, but it would be pretty cruel for them to hang onto him if he does indeed want to start elsewhere.
Romo is signed through 2019 and is guaranteed $19.6 million of his $24.7 million cap hit in 2017 regardless of whether he’s cut or traded. That number drops to $8.9 million in dead money in 2018 and $3.2 million in 2019. That could give an explanation as to why the ‘Boys are willing to keep two starting-caliber QBs next season.
“Let me say this — it is very tenable to long term, look at this situation, very tenable, for me on a long-term basis,” Jones said. “I don’t want to go any further than that. But it’s very tenable for me to see a long-term basis us being strong at quarterback. That’s where we are with these two.”
The Cowboys have the best record in the NFL at 8-1 under Prescott but they’ve yet to play a quality opponent outside of the Pittsburgh Steelers, whom Dallas beat 35-30 on Sunday. Even then, the Steelers are slumping to the tune of a four-game losing streak, so Prescott likely won’t face a true test until the playoffs.
So, there’s a situation where Romo could win his job back and try to lead the Cowboys to a Super Bowl win. But it’s hard to imagine him being content with winning a ring as a backup, no matter what Jones says.
Thumbnail photo via Aaron Doster/USA TODAY Sports Images
