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The Dallas Cowboys are no longer in turmoil. With Tony Romo healthy and ready to return he decided to beat the press to the punch and answer their questions for him. Romo read a statement he prepared either this morning or as soon as Dak Prescott led his 8-1 team to another victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

As Romo hit the podium he tried to explain what he was about to say. But there was no explanation needed. he was just about to read off words that anyone in Dallas or American could have written. His time as the starting QB for the Cowboys is over. But while the letter only stated that, his body language said otherwise. His movements and lack of eye contact said: “I’m done”.

Now, he may return, only if Prescott goes down but as Romo said himself:

“He’s earned the right to be our quarterback,” Romo said. “As hard as that is for me to say, he’s earned that right.

“To say the first half of the season has been emotional would be a huge understatement. Getting hurt when you feel like you have the best team you’ve ever had was a soul-crushing moment for me.”

Prescott has earned that right and while many will applaud Romo for saying this, what else was he supposed to say? Prescott has taken over the position that Romo has known his career but his time was winding down. As the leader of an NFL team, it’s his duty to pass the torch if he feels he can no longer perform at a high enough level. That time has come and gone.

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What will the Cowboys do now? Romo is still on the books for another three seasons and at the age of 36, how much does he really have left? The Cowboys may want to keep him around for nostalgic reasons but other than holding a clipboard and praying that he gets another shot, his time is done. There are teams that could use his services and the ‘Boys may want to explore all possible avenues but it’s not looking too good for Romo.

You hate to see a good player get injured and it hurts even more as they watch their once death grip on a position slip. But Romo and the Cowboys are at their own crossroads now. How loyal is Jerry Jones? It was all well and good while he was injured but when it comes time to write him another huge game check, what happens then?

I will always respect Romo for the player that he was in Dallas but it’s time to move on. This was Romo’s exit stage left closing remarks:

“That’s what you remember. Not your stats or your prestige. But the relationships and the achievement that you created through a group. It’s hard to do but there’s great joy in that. And all the while, your desire burns to be the best you’ve ever been. You can be both. I figured that out in this process.”

Great career Romo, sorry it had to end like this.