By: Kim Dunning
The Dallas Cowboys must keep quarterback Tony Romo. Romo, who is currently on injured reserves due to a broken bone in his back, has been replaced by rookie Dak Prescott. If you are a social media person, you’ve seen the trade Romo, cut Romo, and let him retire all over, especially in Facebook groups.
This is the stupidest idea to even be suggested.
First of all, it is nearly impossible to trade him. Trading him would require a team to mortgage their future on a quarterback that may or may not be healthy. No team in the NFL is crazy enough to take on an ailing 36-year old quarterback, no matter how good he may be.
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Secondly, cutting him puts the Cowboys back into the salary cap mess that Dallas has slowly pulled themselves out of over the last few seasons. Stephen Jones has worked hard to make cap-friendly deals for players that fit the system, as the Cowboys were rebuilding. Dallas cannot afford to go back to that former shell of a team, restructuring contracts and mortgaging the future for the now.
Thirdly, it makes no sense for Dallas to do any of the above mentioned. It’s amazing how soon Dallas fans forget the not-so-distant past.
Less than six months ago, Cowboys fans were screaming for a quarterback of the future. Then the fans were upset when Dallas took a chance on Dak Prescott out of Mississippi State in the fourth round of the 2016 draft. Now, Prescott is the next best thing to sliced bread.
While Prescott is having a monster rookie season while Romo heals, he is also a very humble guy, something Dallas fans aren’t used to having on their team. Dak has been a blessing in disguise.
Romo shouldn’t replace Dak this season simply because of the fact he needs to heal his injury. The Cowboys and Romo himself have had a bad habit of hurrying him back to salvage a season. Case in point being last season when Dallas did not have a reliable backup quarterback. Not even the quarterback carousel could spark Dallas’ high-powered offense. Romo came back in to play way too soon, and because of that, may have cost him his starting job.
So why do the Cowboys have to keep Romo?
The first reason would simply be because Dallas does not want to end up where they have been the last few years. Dallas does not need a good starting quarterback with a sub par quarterback backing him up. At worst case scenario, the Cowboys would have two great quarterbacks on the roster. Imagine the back-up quarterback being Tony Romo! It’s a win-win situation.
Secondly, it would benefit Romo’s health. After not having a full season since 2012, Romo has earned the right to still be a huge part of this team without risking his future health status. Romo being a backup quarterback would help to extend his career.
Finally, it would benefit Prescott to have Romo being the backup quarterback. The Cowboys have already shown a difference with Romo’s guidance behind Prescott’s’ success. Tony is an excellent teacher and it seems to be picked up quickly by the young rookie. This can only benefit Prescott and the Cowboys and quite possibly Romo if Dallas were to win a ring within the next few years.
Regardless of how you feel as a Dallas fan or a Cowboys hater, you have to admire the fact that they are in a good position with their quarterbacks right now. The Cowboys must keep Romo in order to continue having the hot hand in the NFL because he is a big part of their success.