After Combine interviews where John Elway didn’t shoot down speculation the Broncos could pursue Tony Romo and say they’re committed to their incumbents, the Broncos look to be readying to enter this equation. Should the Cowboys release Romo, the Broncos are prepared to pursue him, two sources informed Mike Klis of 9News.
Another source indicated to Klis the Broncos are Romo’s preferred destination. While there will likely be other teams in on the Romo hunt if/when the Cowboys cut him, the Broncos now look like they’re going to make a serious effort here.
Romo previously was linked to a preference of the Broncos, Texans, Chiefs and Cardinals. But the latter two appear to have bowed out. The Cardinals definitely have after Carson Palmer agreed to come back for 2017, and every Chiefs major decision-maker has said Alex Smith will return for a fifth season as their starter. This would leave the Broncos and Texans, the latter being viewed at the Combine as the favorite.
During an expansive interview that featured numerous Romo questions on Saturday, Jerry Jones acknowledged he wants to do right by his former franchise passer. Klis notes that bodes well for Denver, with the Texans being in the same state and competing to some degree in the same revenue stream. Jones at the Combine indicated he and Romo have an implied agreement where the quarterback won’t sign anywhere that would directly damage the Cowboys’ chances of reaching a Super Bowl. Adding that if the “Do Right” policy goes both ways, Klis notes that would mean sending Romo into free agency earlier, when prospective suitors have their entire offseason budgets with which to work.
Elway and Vance Joseph praised both Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch this offseason but stopped short of saying the Broncos are set against adding competition. Romo would not be competition, but rather relegate the current Broncos QBs to backup duty, provided he can stay healthy. The Broncos do not have much money tied up in their quarterbacks and saw their defense rank first in DVOA for a second straight season, likely piquing Romo’s curiosity. After operating without much cap space the past two years, the Broncos now have $42.1MM.
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