Written by Todd Archer and Adam Schefter at ESPN.com
Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is leaving football and going into broadcasting, even with Dallas planning to release him Tuesday, league sources tell ESPN.
Romo has received interest from CBS, Fox and NBC, and can choose to be a color commentator where he wants. That move could come as early as Tuesday, sources said.
But the decision to leave football already has been made. His run as the Cowboys’ quarterback — and an NFL player — officially ends Tuesday.
Dallas is expected to designate Romo a post-June 1 release, softening the blow against the Cowboys’ cap this season. Instead of counting $24.7 million in 2017, Romo would count $10.7 million this year and $8.9 million in 2018. The Cowboys would gain $14 million in cap space, but it would not become available until June 2. But after Tuesday, Romo will no longer be with the Cowboys.
Romo’s decision came down to his health, sources close to the situation told ESPN. Turning 37 years old on April 21, Romo believes his family and his health are paramount at this time in his life. He was limited to playing in just parts of five games over the last two seasons because of collarbone and back injuries, and he suffered a compression fracture in his back last August that led to him ultimately giving way to Dak Prescott.
He now will get to spend more time with his family while still retaining a strong connection to the game he loves. Romo spent the last several weeks working through this decision, sources told ESPN.
Romo already has informed Cowboys owner Jerry Jones of his decision to step away from the game for now, sources said. The networks courting him also are aware.
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