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Tony Romo to Houston? The only way to make it work

By Steven Mullenax

Nov 26, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) drops back to pass against the Carolina Panthers during the game on Thanksgiving at AT&T Stadium. The Panthers defeat the Cowboys 33-14. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) drops back to pass against the Carolina Panthers during the game on Thanksgiving at AT&T Stadium. The Panthers defeat the Cowboys 33-14. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Due to the Houston Texans signing of Brock Osweiler last year, here’s the only way trading for Dallas Cowboys Tony Romo would work.

The Houston Texans made a couple big splash signings via free agency last year. One of them was the addition of former Miami Dolphins running back Lamar Miller to their roster. After inking that four-year, $26 million contract, Miller went on to rush for just over 1,000 yards and five touchdowns in his first year in Houston.

Unfortunately for the Texans, their other splash signing in free agency didn’t turn out as solid. And it was much more costly.

Last March, Houston signed former Denver Broncos quarterback Brock Osweiler to a four-year, $72 million deal. With a whopping $37 million guaranteed and a $12 million signing bonus, the Texans made a firm financial commitment to the former second round pick as their quarterback of the future.

But following a season where Osweiler threw for 2,957 yards, 15 touchdowns and 16 interceptions while completing just 59.0% of his passes, Houston likely has a huge case of buyer’s remorse. According to Texans’ general manager Rick Smith, the team simply needs better production from that position.

Just over three hours north of Houston, the Dallas Cowboys have a quarterback issue of their own. They have too many! With veteran Tony Romo likely looking to be traded this offseason, the Texans have been identified by many as a great potential landing spot.

But how could Houston possibly trade for Romo while already having made such a large financial investment in Osweiler? One NFL Insider believes he’s found the only way it could work.

"“No one’s going to trade for Osweiler with the contract he has, and if the Texans cut him, they’d take a $25-million cap hit in 2017; if they keep him, it’s a $19-million cap hit this year,” wrote longtime NFL writer Peter King during a mailbag segment on The MMQB recently. “The only way to make it work, if they truly do end up wanting Romo, is to have Romo sign a three- or four-year deal with some guaranteed money and a small salary this year, so the 2017 and ’18 cap numbers would be small.”"

Next: Ranking Tony Romo’s Top 5 Dallas Cowboys Games

The good news for Houston in a potential trade with Dallas is the fact Romo is reportedly open to being flexible and massaging his contract in order to find a new home. The soon-to-be 37-year old quarterback still has three years left of a massive seven-year, $119.5 million contract he signed with the Cowboys back in 2013.

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