Former Redskins quarterback and Super Bowl Champion Joe Theismann is concerned for Tony Romo. A couple months ago, he went on the record saying that Tony Romo should not play football anymore. He reasoned it by saying that he cares for Tony Romo “the man, the father, the husband.” He advised against chasing the Super Bowl ring because “A lot of guys leave this game without a ring. That’s not the whole thing.”
As you’d expect, Romo disagrees. He said as much in his emotional passing of the torch press conference a couple weeks ago. But if the 36-year-old is going to suit up again, it likely won’t be for the team he’s spent his entire 13 year career for. As For The Win points out, Romo staying in Dallas next year will cost the team a hefty $24 million and likely a lot of media headaches and distractions.
In a quarterbacks league, it’s hard to imagine NFL GMs won’t be intrigued by the prospect of acquiring the four-time Pro Bowler, but if it were up to Theismann, he’d avoid Romo like the dude with a cold sore and a blunt circle.
Theismann told Bleacher Report Radio:
“Let’s put this Tony Romo stuff to bed, OK? The man’s had three back surgeries, he has a collar bone that’s been broken twice, he’s 36 years old, he plays behind – the last couple years he played behind probably the best offensive line in football [and] hasn’t finished a season in the last five.
“Any general manager that would make a deal for Tony Romo shouldn’t keep their job as general manager. It’s a bad business decision plus what offensive line is going to be the same one he has in Dallas? I think Tony Romo stays a Dallas Cowboy. He’s got a $24 million cap, you negotiate that down to a number that’s palatable for the team. If Dak gets hurt, he goes and plays, and you put incentives in if he does play. To me, Tony Romo’s got to be a Dallas Cowboy to the end of his career.”
Although his advice will likely fall on deaf ears, Theismann makes a good point. Romo has been under the knife more than anyone in his mid-30’s should and will, in all likelihood, end his career without a Super Bowl ring. The dude has made hundreds of millions of dollars in his career and has established a legacy that probably won’t change drastically. Plus, he’s a scratch golfer and half of retiring is pretending you like golf. The worst thing in the world for Tony Romo would not be to buy a private island and sip pina coladas on the beach for the rest of his days. I’d kill for that opportunity.
[h/t For The Win]