Many Cowboys fans are holding onto the idea that Tony Romo is the real backup quarterback in 2017, ready to put the pads back on if something bad happens to Dak Prescott. That plan may have just been cancelled, though, according to recent comments from Romo himself.
Yesterday, while talking to NFL Network during a celebrity golf event, Tony Romo said the following when asked about a possible NFL comeback.
“Like I said before, I'm done.”
To paraphrase a buddy of mine, it's no surprise that an offseason with his kids, golf, and overall freedom would make Tony happy to stay retired. If Romo really needs a football fix, it will probably come from the CBS announce booth in just a few months.
Still, this isn't welcome news if you're not thrilled with the Cowboys' QB depth chart. The idea of having Romo in an emergency glass case has helped some to cope with having Kellen Moore, and not much else, as the only reserves behind Prescott. If Tony is truly off the table, another layer of security for the 2017 season has just been removed.
Remember, it was just a year ago that the Cowboys' season was saved by their number-three quarterback. Moore was the primary backup before getting hurt in training camp. Had he stayed healthy, Kellen may have held that post right into the regular season. Dak may not have had the same opportunity to shine in the preseason that he got from Moore's absence.
As of now, the other quarterbacks on the roster are journeyman Zac Dysert and undrafted rookie Cooper Rush. While Dak Prescott was himself a major surprise, nobody expects either of these two players to have a similar story. In truth, neither is likely to make the 53-man roster.
So, if the unthinkable happens, Kellen Moore is looking like your only hope. His groupies aren't worried; some Moore zealots think he could win the job from Prescott right now if given the opportunity. Even if you're not in the fan club, you at least hope that Kellen's system familiarity will pay off if called upon.
But as for that storybook chapter where Tony Romo returns from Valhalla, wielding the football and saving Cowboys Nation from doom, it's looking more and more like a fantasy.
