Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is coming off a season in which he set career highs in completion percentage (69.9), touchdown passes (34) and passer rating (113.2). He is playing behind arguably the NFL's best offensive line, which likely got better with the addition of La'El Collins as an undrafted free agent. So why should we be thinking about Romo's eventual replacement?
The veteran QB is 35-years-old and has dealt with a litany of back and rib issues over recent seasons. He's still playing at a high level and there is no reason for the Cowboys to be concerned of a sudden drop off. But age and injuries always catch up with a player eventually so it's wise to have the future in mind at all times. It's an issue that was posed to ESPN Cowboys reporter Todd Archer in his weekly mailbag.
Who will be @tonyromo successor?? #cowboysmail @toddarcher Weeden proved he cannot carry the o
— RaúL (@DeepBarber) July 17, 2015
"I don't know who thought of Brandon Weeden as a possible successor to Tony Romo," Archer wrote. "He will be a free agent after this season anyway. But I believe Romo's successor is probably a sophomore in college right now. I've said this before that whenever Romo decides he doesn't want to play or whenever the Cowboys decide Romo can't play at a high level, then that's when they'll draft the guy. I realize a lot of people fall in love with the idea of drafting a quarterback early, letting him watch and learn and then take over the job after a year or two. It just doesn't work that way. You draft a guy early and you play him. With the offensive line the Cowboys will have in place, then that will help Romo's successor immensely."
There were some rumors that the Cowboys would draft a quarterback this year. They worked out Oregon State QB Sean Mannion before the draft and were linked to guys like Baylor's Bryce Petty. Of course, neither player ended up on Dallas' roster.
But that doesn't mean that the position isn't on Jerry Jones' radar.
