John Elway and the Denver Broncos were reported to have some interest in Tony Romo this offseason before he retired. In an interview with James Palmer and Michael Silver of NFL Network, the newly promoted president of football operations confirmed those reports.
However, rather than take another run with an established veteran with injury concerns, a la Peyton Manning, Elway went a different direction this time around. As noted by Palmer, he “felt good with the young guys.”
At one point, Elway said the Broncos had “no intent” to take Romo, even if he were released by the Dallas Cowboys. Whether that was true at the time he said it or not, he was already obviously thinking about those young guys, Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch.
It’s going to be interesting if we look back at this at the end of the 2017 season and wonder what might have been.
Denver has a playoff roster, but quarterback was a weak link last year, and quite honestly even when they won Super Bowl 50. Perhaps that’s why, rather than take another veteran like Romo, Elway and Co. opted to build for the future.