Renck: Texans still lead Broncos in Romo sweepstakes despite report

A report from NFL Network and NFL.com insider Ian Rapoport on Tuesday’s edition of “Up to the Minute Live” said the Denver Broncos are in the “driver’s seat” when it comes to the sweepstakes on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.

Romo, who by all indications will be released by the Cowboys after losing his starting role to Offensive Rookie of the Year Dak Prescott, could land in Denver if he’s “willing to take a pay cut,” according to Rapoport.

“It seems like the Broncos and then it seems like everyone else,” Rapoport said.

However, Denver 7 Broncos Insider Troy Renck told “The Drive” on Tuesday he believes it’s still the Houston Texans as the leader in the clubhouse.

“I still think the Houston Texans would be, I don’t know if they’re in the driver seat but I would still put them ahead of the Broncos,” Renck said.

The Broncos “definitely” has an advantage, Renck said, if Romo decides he wants to play in Denver.

And expect the club to “kick the tires,” Renck said, when Romo becomes a free agent to see how much the veteran gunslinger’s looking for in terms of compensation and if he’s willing to work with the organization.

But Renck still sees Houston as the leader due to its proximity to Dallas.

“Romo’s wife is expecting the couple’s third child. He’d be 30 minutes away by private jet from Houston to Dallas. It’s a much easier situation,” Renck said.

And like the Broncos, the Texans seem themselves as just a player away from making a run at a Super Bowl, Renck said.

“The issue for me would be is he willing to go to Denver? I mean, live that far away,” Renck said. “He’s only played one place his entire career. That would be the issue. Just does he want to relocate and do the Peyton Manning, follow that path, or does he want to stay in the state of Texas?”

The contract of Texans quarterback could throw a wrench into those plans, however. Houston’s still on the hook for much of Osweiler’s $37 million in guaranteed money, not to mention if they were to cut him they’d take a significant dead cap hit.

“How do they deal with that contract if it’s on the bench? Romo would have to work with them to massage the contract because of the number they’re paying Brock Osweiler this year,” Renck said.

But despite where Romo might be leaning, his name will be tied to the Broncos until he’s either in Denver or signed with another team, Renck said.

Denver’s in play until they’re not in play, and that’s what I always tell people. Until he has signed somewhere else, Tony Romo will be connected to the Broncos because it makes sense on a lot of levels.

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