The New York Jets are still looking for a quarterback for next season. Could Tony Romo be the answer to the team’s prayers?
Six years ago, this was an off season for the Jets rife with optimism. For the second straight year, they made it all the way to the AFC title game only to lose to a superior team with a future HOF quarterback. Gang Green was on the cusp of finally ending the championship drought.But six straight postseason DNP’s later, the Jets are scratching their heads wondering what comes next. To add fuel to what has been a dumpster fire, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots will be back next year to defending their SB championship.
So if Tony Romo is made available by Dallas, how much should the Jets invest in him? The Cowboys have their answer for who’s under center. Offensive rookie of the year Dak Prescott solidified himself as a starter in this league. But it’s a question the Jets have been asking themselves for more than decade – a question still to be determined.
Would swapping first-round picks with Dallas in a move to sends Romo to New York make sense? Regardless of where you stand on this, the answer is a slam-dunk. There are a bevy of pros and cons associated with what would be a high-risk/high-reward transaction.
The Pros:
Top 10 talent
When you have a Top-10 QB, you immediately become a playoff contender. This doesn’t necessarily mean you’re destined to win it all, but it puts you in the conversation. When healthy, Romo is one of the greatest QBs of the last decade. No one in NFL history has a higher 4th quarter QBR than “un-clutch Romo.” He also has the record for most consecutive road games with a touchdown pass. You need your stars to show up away from home.
Now is the time
With all the veterans currently on the roster, the time for the Jets to capitalize is now. Brandon Marshall and Darrelle Revis aren’t getting any younger. Both have already shown signs of regressing. And Eric Decker will be turning from two significant injuries. Ultimately, the Jets might elect to cut their losses, but if they are retained, it makes sense to surround them with the talent needed to compete in the postseason.
More time for youngsters
This would give projects like fourth-round pick Bryce Petty and second-round pick Christian Hackenberg a chance to learn behind a savvy veteran with a world of talent. Ryan Fitzpatrick was everything you didn’t want in a guy serving as the teacher to the youngsters.
The Cons:
First round possibilities
The Jets have the sixth overall pick in the upcoming draft and would essentially be trading away would could be a franchise player. This could be the next Revis or possibly an edge rusher a la Von Miller. But then again, it could also be Vernon Golston or Dee Milliner. Draft picks never really mean too much of anything until that actually do. There’s just no certainty it will pan out.
Health
The obvious caveat is the health of Romo, who hasn’t played in full season since 2012. The trepidation about him being able to rebound from taking hits is warranted. It would be “so Jets” to give up a Top-10 pick for a guy who ended up getting hurt in a meaningless preseason game. (Romo suffered his latest injury in Week 3 of the preseason last year)
Remains a veteran-laced squad
Acquiring Romo probably means the Jets would have to bring back mostly on the aging veterans on the roster. Depending on what the team wants to do going forward, this might not be conducive to that plan. The Jets might want to endure a complete overhaul, getting younger and more athletic on both sides of the ball.
Bottom line:
If this is a deal Jerry Jones puts on the table, the Jets better take it. The risk is that significant, but the reward is a trip to the postseason for the first time since 2010. Then, who knows what’ll happen?
