Redskins Pondering Tony Romo Pursuit?

The Redskins have made little progress in extension talks with quarterback Kirk Cousins, and the club is now “wondering” if they could acquire a veteran signal-caller such as the Cowboys’ Tony Romo if Cousins were traded, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link).Tony Romo (vertical)

[RELATED: Kirk Cousins Won’t Sign Extension Before Franchise Deadline]

Clearly, a Mr. Romo Goes To Washington scenario is fraught with potential — and possibly deal-breaking — hurdles. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones almost certainly wouldn’t trade a viable quarterback to a division rival, and would seemingly be especially loathe to do so with Romo, with whom Jones has a personal relationship. Romo, for what it’s worth, expects to be cut rather dealt, but even a release could come with a tacit agreement that Romo not sign with an NFC East club like the Redskins.

A Romo acquisition would be preceded by a Cousins trade, per Cole, who reported last month that the 49ers would be among the clubs interested in bringing Cousins aboard. San Francisco would be open to trading the No. 2 overall pick to land Cousins, whom the Niners view as their Plan A at quarterback. For such a deal to go down, the Redskins would first to need to franchise Cousins in order to retain his rights, then work out a trade with the 49ers that would be officially consummated on March 9 (or anytime thereafter).

Romo, 36, is due base salaries of $14MM, $19.5MM, $20.5MM in each of the next three seasons, but none of that money is guaranteed. The Bills have mentioned as a potential suitor for Romo, as have the Broncos, while Denver, Houston, Arizona, and Kansas City have been identified as Romo’s preferred destinations.

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