Cowboys Officially Designate QB Tony Romo As Post-June 1 Release

Update:

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones released a statement on Tuesday regarding QB Tony Romo being released:

“We wish Tony and his family nothing but the best. As an organization, we did what he asked us to do in terms of his release, and we wanted to do what was ultimately in his best interest and in the best interest of his family. Tony has been a wonderful representative of the Cowboys organization for 14 years, and he left everything he had on the field. He will leave us with many great memories and a legacy of being, truly, one of the greatest players in Cowboys history. We are thrilled for him and his family that he will be able to continue working as a professional in the game he so dearly loves. “He is a young man who is just getting started on a long journey in life. All the best my friend.”

“Tony Romo has a unique combination of athletic ability, arm talent, vision and instincts for the game,” said Cowboys coach Jason Garrett on Tuesday. “What separates Tony from many other players, however, is a rare competitive spirit. Tony loves to play. Tony loves to compete. The best ones always do. In practice. During games. On the field. Off the field. Tony competes to the end in everything that he does.”

CBS has also confirmed that Romo will be joining their broadcast team.

“(Romo) will bring the same passion, enthusiasm and knowledge that he displayed on the field to the broadcast booth,” chairman of CBS Sports Sean McManus said. “He brings a fresh and insightful perspective to our viewers having just stepped off the field. We know Tony will quickly develop into a terrific analyst, and alongside Jim Nantz, will become a must-listen for fans each week.”

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Todd Archer of ESPN reports that the Cowboys have officially designated QB Tony Romo as a post-June 1 release on Tuesday.

This comes just hours after the news broke that Romo was planning to retire from the NFL and pursue a broadcasting opportunity.

Multiple reports have since surfaced that Romo will be replacing Phil Simms as CBS’ top analyst next to Jim Nance for the 2017 season.

Some wondered if the Cowboys would place Romo on the reserve/retired list, as opposed to designating him as a post-June 1 release. However, it appears as though Dallas was set on making this move and spreading his cap hit over this year and next.

The Cowboys won’t have any extra cap room until June 2, but it’s now as though there are many free agents left worth spending big money on. Instead, the Cowboys may try to get a long-term extension in place with G Zack Martin this summer.

Romo, 36, was entering the fourth year of his seven-year, $119.5 million contract that included $55 million guaranteed. He stands to make base salaries of $14 million (2017), $19.5 million (2018) and $20.5 million (2019).

According to OverTheCap.com, releasing Romo as a post-June 1 release will free up $14 million in available cap space while creating a staggering $10.7 million in dead money.

In 2016, Romo appeared in one game and completed three of four passing attempts for 29 yards and a touchdown for the Cowboys.