Report: Romo likely to be released Thursday

Tony Romo may soon have the opportunity to test the open market.

Barring a significant trade opportunity, it's likely the Dallas Cowboys will release the veteran quarterback Thursday, the first day of free agency, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports.

Romo was going to end up elsewhere one way or another, and cutting ties on the first day of the new league year can be considered the Cowboys' way of doing right by their longtime signal-caller.

As has been hinted over the past few weeks, it's possible the move would come with a "wink and nod" agreement that Romo wouldn't sign with an NFC East rival.

Among the most intriguing fits include the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans.

Denver, who missed the playoffs last season due largely to underwhelming quarterback play, is reportedly ready to pursue the 36-year-old if and when he's released.

There's been no indication the Texans are preparing to do so, but the need to upgrade under center and capitalize on a championship-ready roster is similarly apparent.

Injuries have limited Romo to just four starts over the past few seasons. Contenders will look to his previous play as an indication that he could still be capable of putting their team over the top, though, as he threw for 3,705 yards, 34 touchdowns, and just nine interceptions in 2014.