The offseason has reached a crucial point for the Dallas Cowboys. The new league year starts on Thursday, March 9, and the two-day free agency negotiating window leading up to the start of free agency (Thursday at 4:00 pm ET) as just started. During this time, teams may negotiate all aspects of a contract with a free agent but can't finalize the deal until the new year begins. Here are the latest Cowboys news & rumors you need to know:
Dallas targeting Sheldon Richardson?
The Cowboys haven't been shy about their desire to add a premier pass rusher this offseason, and Jason Pierre-Paul was one of their top targets. However, after the New York Giants placed the franchise tag on him, Dallas may have turned their attention to acquire New York Jets defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson, according to SB Nation.
Sheldon Richardson has been on the market for quite a while, and this is not the first time the Cowboys have been linked to Richardson. News broke in early November last year that the Jets were actively shopping Richardson, and it wasn't long before reports emerged that the Jets called the Cowboys to shop Richardson. As it turned out, the Jets' asking price was a first-round draft pick in 2017 or 2018, per a report from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Since then, Richardson's trade value has taken a dive.
Richardson was one year left on his contract and is owed $8.069 million for 2017. This could essentially be a season-long audition for a long-term deal for Richardson, who would also give Dallas a needed boost for a potential Super Bowl run next season.
Richardson had 62 tackles with a career-low 1.5 sacks in 15 games last season.
Cowboys to let Terrance Williams walk?
Dallas is also interested in re-signing wide receiver Terrance Williams, but they may not be able to afford him. Yahoo Sports's Charles Robinson says Williams is expected to demand a pretty hefty contract on the open market.
Multiple #NFL sources are expecting the free agent contract of #Cowboys wideout Terrance Williams to land between $6-$8 million per season.
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) March 6, 2017
With more pressing needs at other positions, the Cowboys are not expected to get into a bidding war for Williams. He caught 44 passes for 594 yards and four touchdowns last season.
Broncos "ready to pursue" Romo
The Denver Broncos have been the team most heavily linked to Tony Romo this offseason, and they are ready to pursue Romo once he is released by the Cowboys (as expected), according to Mike Klis of 9News in Denver.
If it matters, and apparently it does, a deal between Tony Romo and the Denver Broncos would satisfy the “Do-Right Rule” that has been stated, along with a wink-wink, by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
Multiple NFL sources tell 9News Broncos general manager John Elway and the team are ready to pursue Romo if and when the quarterback is released by Jones and the Dallas Cowboys.
One agent source also told 9News that Romo’s preferred choice is the Broncos. Denver is not the only team expected to pursue Romo, though. There was buzz at the NFL Combine the Houston Texans would also be interested, but would they give up on Brock Osweiler after paying him $21 million in 2016, his first year with the team, and another $16 million guaranteed this season?
Broncos general manager John Elway and head coach Vance Joseph expressed their confidence in both Paxton Lynch and Trevor Siemian at the combine, creating the thought that Denver may not pursue Romo. However, that is not the case.
Romo played just one drive this past season, completing 3/4 passes for 29 yards and a touchdown. In his last full season in 2014, Romo threw for 3,705 yards with 34 touchdowns and just nine interceptions.
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