CBS Reportedly Offered Tony Romo's Job to Peyton Manning for Less Money
By Brendan Balsamo
While most of us are awaiting NFL Free Agency to begin, perhaps unofficially once a new CBA is signed, the league's networks are doing a little bit of shopping of their own.
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo signed a ten-year contract for $180 million with CBS, but he evidently wasn't their only option. NFL legend Peyton Manning was a solid backup plan, as Romo was nearly unanimously every network's top choice. He had a chance for the CBS job, but sat on it for too long.
Before striking a deal with Tony Romo, CBS offered Peyton Manning Romo’s job, per @AndrewMarchand. CBS offered Peyton a contract that is believed to be in the range of $10M-$12M a year for 5 or 6 seasons. Manning was not quick to decide, and CBS ultimately got a deal with Romo.
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) March 2, 2020
While Romo was offered his massive, $18 million per year deal that most players in the league would kill for, Manning, a Hall of Fame quarterback, was offered a contract more in the range of $10-12 million per year for five or six years from CBS, according to the New York Post's Andrew Marchand.
Manning was considering the offer, but once Romo agreed to terms, the offer was no more. ESPN is reportedly now interested in moving on from analyst Booger McFarland and possibly signing Manning.
With Tony Romo staying at CBS, ESPN moves on to Plan B for MNF -- with Peyton Manning still at the top of the list https://t.co/suAQFt2lIh
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) February 29, 2020
Manning's current relationship with ESPN, in which he already hosts "Peyton's Places," would lead to a natural transition to the booth should he choose.