Tony Romo's contract has certainly been a topic of debate since the quarterback inked the six-year, $108 million deal which makes him a $27 million cap hit in 2015 alone. That contract has prevented the Cowboys from making several moves in free agency while also costing them key players. It is getting in the way of a new deal for Dez Bryant while DeMarco Murray walked away as a result. Romo is insisting that if asked, he would have taken a pay cut.
Romo's contract has already been restructured once, but Dallas opted not to do it again since it would likely mean a good portion of guaranteed money would have been put in the back half of the contract. As a result, the Cowboys simply could not offer players like Murray the money they were asking for. Romo is making it clear that he is always willing to help the team and would accept a pay cut if necessary.
"DeMarco ended up asking me, 'Why don't you take a pay cut?'" Romo said, via 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. "I was like, 'I will. I will take a pay cut to go do this.' I was like, 'They're going to restructure me and the whole thing,' that's the same thing in some ways just for salary-cap purposes. He was like, 'OK, now we're back to being friends.' 'You're really worried about me? I would take $5 million less if it meant getting you back'. He knew that."
The end result was Romo not taking a pay cut. Murray balked at the five-year, $42 million offer from Dallas and let for the Philadelphia Eagles to the tune of five years and $42 million with $18 million in guaranteed money. The Cowboys were then forced to sign Darren McFadden to a cheap contract while potentially trying to fill the shoes of Murray in the NFL Draft.
Could Romo take that pay cut for a better option before the draft? There is still discussion surrounding Dallas and their intentions to trade for Adrian Peterson. The running back's contract is of course an issue. Romo could accept a pay cut. Dallas could then trade for Peterson and restructure his deal once it is acquired. While that is certainly a long shot, owner Jerry Jones hinted to the Dallas Morning News that the Cowboys were not ready to rule out the idea of getting Peterson.
In the meantime, the team is looking at the top running backs preparing to enter the NFL Draft. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport is reporting the Cowboys will take a back in an early round. They have their eyes set on Todd Gurley, TJ Yeldon and Melvin Gordon who are the best available.
