ESPN’s Werder: Broncos depth at QB ‘beneficial’ if Romo acquired

Conventional thinking would have quarterbacks Paxton Lynch or Trevor Siemian — likely the latter — on the move should the Denver Broncos acquire veteran gunslinger Tony Romo either from the Dallas Cowboys through trade or via free agency.

However, ESPN’s Ed Werder last week told Sports Radio 104.3 The Fan that it’s not “wholly incompatible” for Denver to keep both of its young quarterbacks and still bring in Romo.

“I think any team that takes him is going to have a hard time looking at it like let’s build our team around expecting 16 games out of Tony Romo because it just hasn’t happened all that often. And It hasn’t happened at all in the last two years,” Werder said told “Schlereth and Evans” on Friday.

“So, in that case then, what the Broncos have in terms of depth at quarterback would be beneficial to them and make Romo fit the equation better.”

Romo played in just four games in 2015 after twice suffering a broken collarbone and missed all but one game in 2016 after suffering a broken bone in his back during the preseason.

The latter injury forced first-year quarterback Dak Prescott into the lineup, who’d eventually take Romo’s starting role on the way to a 2016 Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

Werder said he thinks the Broncos would better off gambling on Romo, given his recent injury history, with two guys in Siemian and Lynch who can play right away.

“If you’re a team like the Broncos, you’re not thinking about how healthy is he going to be the first quarter of the season. You’re thinking about how healthy is he going to be the final four games, Week 12 on, when you’re playing your division opponents and trying to win the division and presumably achieve any home-field advantage and playoff seed that you can gain,” Werder told The Fan’s Brandon Stokley on Thursday.

“That’s when you want Romo healthy and playing his best. To me, that’s what teams like the Broncos have to be thinking.”

However, the Broncos depth at quarterback may all be for naught in terms of the Romo sweepstakes, as Werder indicated the Houston Texans might be a more attractive destination for the Dallas-based quarterback.

“I think Houston is a really strong contender because they’re in close proximity to Dallas. It would make it easier for his wife and kids to be a part of it if they wanted to relocate, if his parents want to come down and see games,” Werder said.

“They have a great defensive team, obviously, even without J.J. Watt, who should be returning. (They have) quality receivers, a good offensive, a young runner, so they fit the criteria.”

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