Jerry Jones sets training camp deadline for Tony Romo
Tony Romo is still a member of the Dallas Cowboys, and he may be a few more months.
At the beginning of March, all signs pointed toward the Dallas Cowboys releasing Tony Romo, perhaps with an unofficial understanding he wouldn’t sign with certain teams. But releasing Romo now does not benefit the Cowboys salary cap-wise all that much, and reports they’d rather trade him have surfaced over the last few weeks.
The Denver Broncos and Houston Texans have emerged as the top two landing spots for Romo. But the Broncos have consistently suggested they’re content with their quarterback situation as-is, and the Texans don’t seem likely to make a trade for Romo.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported FOX and CBS are interested in hiring Romo as a television analyst, but it’s unclear if that interest is mutual. But with Romo’s playing options for next season seemingly dwindling, retirement and an immediate career switch may be on his radar.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was asked about Romo on Tuesday at the league meetings in Phoenix, and for once a fairly straight answer came.
"Jerry Jones says deadline on Tony Romo decision is training camp. Says they’ve spoken in last couple days. He’s doing great, has options — Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 28, 2017"
Jones has now set a training camp deadline for the Romo situation to be resolved. The idea Romo “has options” suggests Jones may know about a plan to pursue a television job, or at least wants to suggest he knows about it on a deeper level than reports that are out there.
It makes no sense for the Cowboys to keep Romo as an expensive backup for Dak Prescott, but Jones still seems to be holding out hope for a trade by suggesting there’s no hurry to do anything. Head coach Jason Garrett has toed that company line recently too, saying the team is “working through” the situation with Romo.
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Jones, knowing he holds most of the cards, may be trying to coax Romo into retirement rather than facilitate a desire to play elsewhere. Leave it the Cowboys to make what could be a cut-and-dry situation into a mini soap opera.