2017 NFL Free Agency: Brock Osweiler Trade Clears Way For Texans To Add Tony Romo

The Houston Texans have dropped the early stunner of the NFL free agency period this afternoon. ESPN insider Adam Schefter is reporting the Texans have agreed to trade quarterback Brock Osweiler, a 2018 second-round draft pick and sixth-round draft pick to the Cleveland Browns for the Browns’ fourth-round pick this year and $16 million in cash.

The other half of the equation would be the Texans clearing out salary cap space to then sign and/or trade for soon-to-be former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.

Schefter reports the team has now turned its focus to adding Romo:

“The move clears out millions in salary-cap space for Houston to intensify efforts to sign former Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, per sources.”

It appears Rick Smith has taken a page out of his Rockets counterpart Daryl Morey’s playbook to hit the eject button on a bad contract in hopes of clearing up space for the here and now.

Osweiler, 26, signed a four-year, $72 million contract with the Texans exactly one year ago after backing up Peyton Manning during the Denver Broncos’ Super Bowl run. Osweiler quickly proved to not be the answer for the Texans under center in 15 games, throwing 16 interceptions in 15 regular season games.

Romo, 36, has been sidelined with numerous injuries over the past few seasons and was passed on the depth chart by 2016 NFL Rookie of the Year Dak Prescott. But the 13-year veteran has thrown for over 4,000 yards and nearly 250 TDs as a Cowboy. Romo has proven to be an above-average quarterback in the NFL when not expected to do everything for an offense.

Overall, the move appears to be a GM attempting to do everything possible to make up for a previous mistake. Luckily for Rick Smith, he is still around to attempt to make up for the Osweiler error.