RomoWatch 2017: What’s Up With Tony Romo And The Denver Broncos
By Steven Kriz
The Broncos, with the cap space they had could have easily overpaid for some of the bigger name free agents. The only one that received market value was—guess who—Romo’s former (maybe soon to be current-again) teammate Ronald Leary.
Andrew Whitworth, the top free agent left tackle on the market took a deal from the Rams that included $5 million more in guaranteed money over the life on the contract. Calais Campbell, after mulling over the Broncos offer ultimately accepted a deal for $2 million more a year. Ricky Wagner, the best right tackle on the market could have been had, along with Leary and likely one of Campbell or Whitworth.
A team that is fully committed to the two quarterbacks currently on the roster makes those splashes to give the young quarterbacks as much help as possible.
So what have the Broncos done in free agency? Aside from acquiring Leary, a familiar face to Tony Romo, they have mostly shopped in the bargain bins. They added a lot of beef to their defensive line with Domata Peko and Zach Kerr. Both of these players can certainly be impact starters, but they both weren’t the cream of the free agent crop.
They signed Menelik Watson, a RT with an awful lot of attitude, and an awful lot of potential, but who carries an awful long list of injuries since he’s entered the league.
That’s it folks, there is nobody else out there that costs what the Broncos are setting aside. While a trade for a more expensive left tackle could be in the cards, it is highly unlikely. What happened when Andrew Whitworth and Russell Okung both signed deals north of $12 million a year, the left tackle market went soaring higher than it has ever been.
When a market goes up, trade prices go up as well. A trade for say a Joe Staley, Joe Thomas, or even perhaps a Jason Peters would cost the Broncos well north of a first round pick according to a source.
One thing is for certain; if John Elway isn’t willing to give up a 4th round pick to acquire Tony Romo, he sure isn’t willing to give up a first round pick, and some, for any left tackle that is over 30 years old.