The sanity of the Los Angeles Rams management has been a topic of debate ever since they placed the franchise tag of cornerback Trumaine Johnson.
The sixth-year player stands to make a whopping $16.742 million in 2017, making him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. He is not considered the best CB in the league, not even close.
But the 2017 free agency has the Rams with a possible interested party for Johnson’s services: the Dallas Cowboys, who lost CBs Morris Claiborne (New York Jets) and Brandon Carr (Baltimore Ravens) in free agency.
TheRamsWire.com has suggested that the Cowboys could willing to take on Johnson’s salary if they believe they’re just a player or two away from contending for a Super Bowl bid. History shows that Dallas has previously traded for a player it thought would put them over the top. But who would the Cowboys give in return?
The Rams still have wide receiver and defensive depth needs. But if L.A. is looking for an asset, then how about the Cowboys’ franchise quarterback for 10 seasons until the 2016 regular season?
Tony Romo remains a Cowboy, even though all speculation indicates that no team interested in Romo will deal with Dallas because the team will have to release him in June to avoid paying him $14 million base salary and $5 million signing bonus from 2013. The thought was that the Cowboys would cater to Romo’s wishes—within reason—but still have not released him. So much for catering to his wishes.
The Rams will have some time to evaluate Johnson before the Cowboys have to release Romo. If Johnson is not a fit for defensive coordinator Wade Phillips’ scheme, L.A. might consider getting value in return.
Romo’s value figures to increase as the 2017 draws closer. At best, he could give the Rams a bargaining chip to fill a need or get draft choices in return.
At worst, Romo could serve as a mentor to quarterback Jared Goff and help further his NFL education. Or fill in if Goff is injured or plays poorly.
And L.A. still would be right back where it started after next season, anyway: losing Johnson to free agency.
Stranger things could happen.
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