FRISCO, Texas -- It was fitting that as Tony Romo offered up a thank-you to Dallas Cowboys fans Thursday for their support, Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin’” played in the background.
The social media post came not long before the NFL’s league year began and when it was believed Romo would be released by the Cowboys after a 14-year run with the team.
Alas, Romo remains a Cowboy as of Friday morning, with Chris Mortensen reporting Dallas expects to trade its franchise leader in touchdown passes and passing yards to either the Houston Texans or Denver Broncos.
The decision to not part ways can be viewed as the team asserting itself against what is surely Romo’s wish to be released and delaying a decision to see if another team becomes desperate to give up something for him.
When Brock Osweiler was traded from the Texans to the Cleveland Browns, opening up salary-cap space and a need for a top-flight quarterback, the Romo-to-Houston chatter gained steam. There was also a report the Broncos would discuss trading Trevor Siemian to the New York Jets.
But the final domino never fell.
Reports out of Houston and Denver have said for weeks the Texans and Broncos would have interest in Romo but only if he were released.
Why give up a draft pick if you don’t have to?
That’s the argument the Cowboys are facing now, unless other teams get involved in a potential deal for Romo.
Yet speaking on the Cowboys’ luxury bus last week in Indianapolis at the scouting combine, owner and general manager Jerry Jones said Romo had as much control over the decision as the Cowboys. If Romo is dealt to a team for which he does not want to play, he does not have to play. He effectively has veto power.
The Texans and Broncos would seemingly appeal to Romo because of their ability to contend for a Super Bowl. At this point of his career, that’s what matters most to the 36-year-old.
He knows his days in Dallas are coming to an end. He knew it when he made his heartfelt speech in November when he was healthy, but conceded the job he held for a decade was now Dak Prescott's. It was supposed to end Thursday but didn’t. It might not end Friday, either. Or maybe it could with a trade that seemed unlikely at best not too long ago.
"We have a lot to think about going forward,” Romo said in his social media video, “but we'll see what happens.”
The times they are a-changin’ for Romo and the Cowboys, but a different title of a Dylan song seems more appropriate now: “Blowin’ In The Wind.”