Cowboys To Release Tony Romo
The Tony Romo era is ending in Dallas. The Cowboys will release Romo on Thursday, according to Adam Schefter and Todd Archer of ESPN.com (on Twitter).
Dallas designated Romo as a post-June 1 release, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, a decision that will save the club money in the long run. Instead of incurring $19.6MM in dead money, the Cowboys will only take on $10.7MM. However, Dallas must carry Romo’s full cap charge of $24.7MM until June 1, at which point it will be granted relief.
Romo’s exit has been long rumored. After Dak Prescott ran away with the starting job in 2016, few expected Romo to return to the team in 2017 as the backup.
The Broncos and Texans are expected to have some level of interest in Romo and the QB is said to be fond of both teams since they could give him a chance to win right away. The Chiefs seem poised to continue with Alex Smith and apparently will not be exploring a Romo signing. At one point, the Cardinals were linked to Romo, but they probably won’t be going after him with Carson Palmer still in the fold.
Romo probably won’t sign with a new club anytime soon, however, as he’s expected to take a “Peyton Manning style” tour throughout the league, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Manning underwent a lengthy process that involved meetings with several teams before deciding on the Broncos, and it sounds like Romo will embark on a similar endeavor.
Romo, 37 in April, leaves the Cowboys with a litany of franchise records. Although he has not been healthy for two full seasons, he leaves behind an impressive legacy in Dallas that includes four Pro Bowl appearances. In his last healthy season (2014), Romo completed a league-high 69.9% of his passes with 3,705 yards through the air and 34 touchdowns against just nine interceptions. It’s anyone’s guess as to what Romo can do in 2017, but it would be foolish to write him off.
Given the reins during a Monday Night Football game in October of 2006, Romo took over for Drew Bledsoe and guided the Cowboys to the playoffs during the ’06 and ’07 seasons, the latter of which featuring Dallas as the NFC’s No. 1 seed. The eventual champion Giants ousted the Cowboys in Round 2, but Romo picked up his first playoff win two years later in a wild-card victory over the Eagles. The Cowboys became known for late-season letdowns in the Romo years, but the former UDFA passer gave the franchise its most stable option at quarterback since Troy Aikman retired. He’s the second-longest-tenured starting quarterback in Dallas history, behind only Aikman, eclipsing both Roger Staubach and Danny White in terms of longevity.
Cowboys Re-Sign WR Brice Butler
Brice Butler is returning to Dallas. The wideout told Clarence Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that he’s signed a new one-year deal with the Cowboys (Twitter link). The deal is worth $1.1MM with $300K fully guaranteed, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com tweets. The 27-year-old is hoping to prove himself in 2017 and earn a larger contract next offseason.
The 2013 seventh-round pick has spent the past two seasons in Dallas, appearing in 23 games. With the Cowboys, the San Diego State product hauled in 28 passes for 477 yards and three touchdowns. Butler spent the first two seasons of his career with the Raiders, where he caught a career-high 280 yards in 2014.
The Cowboys receiver depth chart currently consists of Dez Bryant, Cole Beasley, and Lucky Whitehead. Despite previous reports, we learned last night that the team doesn’t have interest in free agent wideout DeSean Jackson. Kenny Britt has also been mentioned as a potential target.
Cole’s Latest: Jackson, Zeitler, Poe, Williams
DeSean Jackson looks set for a raise despite having turned 30 during the 2016 season. His market is heating up on Day 2 of the legal tampering period, and it’s expected to clear the $11MM mark in terms of AAV, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report notes (on Twitter). The 10th-year deep threat is likely to leave Washington, and two Redskins rivals — the Cowboys and Eagles — remain interested, per Cole. He adds the Patriots and Buccaneers are in on Jackson as well. We’ve heard Jackson’s salary could climb toward the $12MM-per-year neighborhood. That would lean toward a team like the Bucs ($58.3MM in cap space), with the Cowboys and Eagles on the lower end of the cap-room hierarchy and the Patriots not big on monster skill-position contracts. Dallas’ interest, though, has been disputed, with Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reporting the team isn’t interested. The Cowboys have just $8.3MM in cap space.
Here’s more from free agency, courtesy of Cole.
- Kevin Zeitler may raise the guard salary ceiling, and the Jaguars continue to come up in connection to the former Bengals first-round pick, Cole tweets. The Jags re-signed guard Patrick Omameh on Tuesday, but at $775K, that won’t figure to preclude them from making a splash to upgrade their front. Zeitler’s been connected to a $12MM-per-year deal on a heated guard market. Kelechi Osemele‘s $11.7MM currently tops all guards. Jacksonville has $75.6MM in cap space. The Jags’ line does not have a veteran contract on its interior, with rookie-deal cogs Brandon Linder and A.J. Cann having been the primary starters last season, along with Omameh.
- Dontari Poe might not get the kind of long-term security he wants this year, and Cole tweets the five-year Chiefs starting nose tackle could opt for a one-year deal and re-enter free agency in 2018. The Chiefs prioritized Eric Berry among their big two free agents, signing the cornerstone safety to a record extension. They also drafted Chris Jones in the second round in 2016 and are short on cap space, with a league-low $4.6MM presently. Poe made Pro Bowls in 2013 and ’14, but a 2015 back surgery slowed him. And Poe’s 2016 season, per Pro Football Focus, didn’t compare with his work at his peak. Cole notes Poe could look for a team that wants him to rush the passer more. Poe made just more than $6MM in 2016 on a fifth-year option.
- Conversely, Ravens 3-4 nose Brandon Williams looks like he’ll do well in his first UFA foray. Cole tweets the fifth-year defender could well sign for around what the Giants paid Damon Harrison last year (five years, $46.25MM). That would bridge the gap for 3-4 nose players between Marcell Dareus and the field, and it might be more than the Ravens ($12MM-plus in space) can afford.
- After one tampering day, Cole notes (on Twitter) Andre Branch could have a strong market. Cole associates the veteran defensive end as being worth between $7-9MM per year. Branch recorded 5.5 sacks on what could be a short-term stay with the Dolphins in 2016. As of January, the Fins wanted to keep Branch in Miami, but not much has surfaced on the now-two-time free agent since.
- The Tony Jefferson rise seems real, with Cole now reporting (on Twitter) the Cardinals safety could earn more than $9MM annually. Previously, Cole had Jefferson — likely the market’s top safety after Berry re-signed in Kansas City — pegged to command around $7MM per year. But Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com attached the safety to a market around nearly $10MM AAV.
Josh McCown Visiting Cowboys
The Cowboys are looking into finding a backup quarterback for Dak Prescott. Of course, they already have a No. 2 QB, but he might not be around for much longer. The Cowboys are hosting Josh Mccown on a visit today, according to a source who spoke with Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). 
For a while now, there has been talk of mutual interest between Dallas and the veteran signal caller. McCown will turn 38 in July and he certainly has the experience to hold down the fort, if necessary, and also help to mentor Prescott. Unlike Tony Romo, he’s at a point in his career where it makes sense to take on a backup role for a winning club.
McCown made five appearances (three starts) with the Browns last year as he battled injuries. In that small sample, he completed 54.5% of his passes, averaged 6.7 yards per attempt, and threw six touchdowns against six picks. I have McCown listed as one of the ten best quarterbacks available in free agency this week.
Speaking of Romo, here’s the latest on him: He wants to join the Broncos, the Texans‘ front office is split on him, and the Chiefs are not among the clubs with interest.
Cowboys Not Interested In DeSean Jackson
Refuting a previous report, the Cowboys do not have interest in free agent wide receiver DeSean Jackson, tweets Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram, who notes Jackson is likely outside Dallas’ price range.
[RELATED: Cowboys, Sean Lee Restructure Contract]
Even after restructuring several contracts, the Cowboys still have less than $9MM in cap space, so they’re not expected to be aggressive in free agency. Indeed, Hill reported yesterday that Dallas is bracing to lose many of its own internal free agents, including Terrance Williams, Barry Church, and Morris Claiborne. However, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk did indicate today the Cowboys are expected to pursue free agent wideout Kenny Britt.
Jackson, 30, has already developed quite a market for himself, as the Buccaneers, Eagles, and Patriots are expected to be in on the 30-year pass-catcher this week. Jackson, who last year led the league in yards per reception for the second time in three seasons, ranks as PFR’s No. 26 free agent.
Redskins, DeSean Jackson Expected To Part Ways
Following three seasons with the organization, it sounds like DeSean Jackson‘s tenure with the Redskins is over. According to Mike Jones, Master Tesfatsion, and Liz Clarke of The Washington Post, it’s expected that the two sides “will part ways.” Meanwhile, the trio report that the Patriots, Eagles, Buccaneers, and Cowboys have inquired on the 30-year-old.
Following an underwhelming 2015 campaign, Jackson bounced back in 2016. In 15 games, the veteran hauled in 56 receptions for 1,005 yards and four touchdowns. In nine NFL seasons, the wideout has averaged 55 receptions, 980 yards, and five touchdowns in 14 games per season.
The Buccaneers would be an intriguing option, as Jackson could team up with Mike Evans to provide Jameis Winston with a pair of dynamic receiving options. The veteran would easily fit the role of the veteran long threat in New England, and he’d provide the Eagles with the receiver they’ve been seeking since they lost Jackson following the 2013 season. The Cowboys would be an intriguing option, but it’d be hard to envision Jackson replacing Dez Bryant and Cole Beasley from the starting lineup.
Cowboys, Sean Lee Restructure Contract
The Cowboys have restructured the contract of linebacker Sean Lee, according to ESPN.com’s Todd Archer (Twitter link). The move will give Dallas a little more than $5MM in space to work with, sources say. 
Lee, 31 in July, missed the entire 2014 season and but came back strong in 2015, earning a Pro Bowl nod along the way. This past season, he topped himself by getting a Pro Bowl nod as well as a First-Team All-Pro selection, the first of his career.
As of this writing, the Cowboys now have about $9MM in breathing room. That will come in handy this week, particularly if the Cowboys are serious about major expenditures like wide receiver Kenny Britt. Still, space is limited and we are expecting the Cowboys to ration out their available room to spend. Already, the Cowboys are anticipating the loss of several key free agents.
The Cowboys also recently restructured the deals of tackle Tyron Smith and center Travis Frederick.
Cowboys To Pursue WR Kenny Britt
The Cowboys are among the teams with interest in Kenny Britt, a source tells Mike Florio of PFT (on Twitter). Britt may be a replacement for Terrance Williams, whom they are expecting to leave via free agency.
Britt finished out the 2016 season with 68 receptions for 1,002 yards and five touchdowns. It has been estimated that he could get $6-$8MM per year on his next deal, but I think he could possibly get even more. Britt ranks as my fourth-best wide receiver in this year’s class and I can’t imagine a team pegging him any lower in terms of ability. Furthermore, Britt made just over $4MM last season and he is undoubtedly due for a pay bump.
2016 was a breakout campaign for Britt. Prior to his first season with the Rams, Britt’s best season came in 2010 with the Titans, when he collected 42 receptions for 775 yards and nine touchdowns.
If Britt does indeed join Dallas, he’d presumably slide in as the team’s third receiver behind Dez Bryant and Cole Beasley. Last season, Williams finished the campaign with 44 receptions, 594 yards, and six touchdowns, which are about on par with Britt’s career averages.
We learned yesterday that the 49ers are among the teams that have also expressed interest in Britt.
Latest On Jaylon Smith
Jerry Jones is bullish on linebacker Jaylon Smith‘s prospects at 2017 contributions, but Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com hears the situation isn’t exactly as rosy, as the Cowboys view anything Smith gives them in 2017 as a bonus. While the damaged nerve in Smith’s foot started firing again, the 2016 second-round pick is nowhere close to full strength and might never get there again, Breer notes. The MMQB scribe also doubts whether Smith can be effective playing on a brace to deal with the unique drop foot issue with which the ex-Notre Dame star became saddled. And playing through this injury puts Smith at risk for further damage, Dr. Thomas Gill told Breer.
Cowboys Bracing To Lose Free Agents
The Cowboys’ list of pending free agents is rife with talented players, including cornerbacks Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne, safeties Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox, and wide receiver Terrance Williams, but Dallas might not be able to retain many (if any) of their unsigned free agents, as Clarence Hill of the Star-Telegram reports the Cowboys “could lose them all.”
[RELATED: Tony Romo Wants To Join Broncos]
At present, the Cowboys rank last in the league with just $3.3MM in cap space, and as such, don’t figure to be aggressive in the early goings of free agency, per Hill, who adds Dallas will “let the market come back to them.” At wideout, the Cowboys won’t be a factor in the Williams sweepstakes if his value approaches the $7MM range (as is expected), but the club will attempt to re-sign fellow free agent pass-catcher Brice Butler if the price is right.
In the secondary, the Cowboys won’t retain both Carr and Claiborne and could potentially lose both, while Church will also price himself out of Dallas’ range if he lands a contract north of $7MM (Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports reported $5MM as the Church sweet spot earlier today). The Cowboys are reportedly open to starting Jeff Heath at safety opposite Byron Jones, per Hill, which lessens the need to re-sign either Church or Wilcox.
Dallas still plans to target a wide receiver and pass rusher this offseason, but owner Jerry Jones believes those needs can be addressed either through the draft or the second wave of free agency, according to Hill.