Schefter: Romo news doesn’t impact Broncos ‘stay the course’ plan

A week ago, from the NFL owner’s meetings in Phoenix, Denver Broncos general manager John Elway said the team’s plan with its quarterback situation was to “stay the course.”

“No,” Denver had not had discussions about Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, Elway said at the time, and the club feels “good about the two young ones” they have.

And reports that Romo would be “leaving” the NFL to pursue a career in broadcasting seemingly only cemented that standpoint.

But ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, who broke the news early Tuesday, told Sports Radio 104.3 The Fan’s “Schlereth & Evans” that Romo’s decision, either way, likely wouldn’t have impacted the Broncos thinking.

“I don’t think the Broncos planned to go after Tony Romo,” Schefter said. “And I think that they went back and forth on this a couple of different times. I think there were times where they had no interest, and I think there were times where they were debating making a run at him.

“And, I think, ultimately, where they came in at the end was that they were not going to pursue him and that they were comfortable with that.”

Schefter did leave a crack in the door for a Romo return to the NFL, saying, “I’m not using the word retiring because what’s to say that there’s a team out there that’s competitive that, basically, calls him when it loses a quarterback?”

But, ultimately, Schefter said he doesn’t think the 13-year veteran would come back.

“You’ve got a guy here who was being courted by networks, who’s had a number of injuries the last few years, who’s turning 37, who’s got a young family, who could set up his future, and ultimately decided that the best thing for him to do right now is to leave football and go into broadcasting,” Schefter said.

That doesn’t mean teams, like Denver or the Houston Texans, can’t make a phone call to Romo or his agent to inquiring about his services. Dallas will officially release him Tuesday.

But, in the end, Schefter said he believes Romo’s mind is made up.

“Tony Romo can get phone calls today from Houston, from Denver, from whatever team it is that wants to call. But it’s not going to change anything,” Schefter said. “I’m just telling you, his decision is made. He’s going into broadcasting, and he is transitioning to the next phase and chapter of his life.”

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.