Tony Romo Could Win the 2015 NFL MVP

By Joel Childers | Sep 5, 2015

For the last several season, any time Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo takes a hit, his team, coaches, and fan base cringe and silently hope that his back stays intact. The 35 year old has had his fair share of injuries, including major back surgery at the end of the 2013 season, and at different points it has clearly affected Romo’s performance on the field. Now he’s more healthy than he’s been in several season, and he’s poised to make his name as the NFL’s Most Valuable Player.

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It has taken a long time for Tony Romo to fully realize all of his potential as a quarterback. We all remember his epic December meltdowns, late game interceptions, and the infamous botched field goal attempt. For many, the name Tony Romo has been synonymous with choking when it matters most.

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Anyone who has watched many Dallas games over the last several years, however, knows Romo is so much more than just a punch line. He’s been a talented quarterback since he made it to the Pro-Bowl in his first season as a starter, and recently he has began to show us he may just have that extra quality that makes a true champion. Sadly, he’s had some circumstances outside of his control that have really cost him.

In 2011 he played half of the season in a kevlar vest to protect the broken rib and punctured lung he suffered in a game against San Francisco. In 2013 he led his team on a touchdown drive in the final minute of the game, despite playing with a herniated disk that would later require extensive surgery. He’s got the toughness to be an elite player, and he’s willing to do anything it takes to win for his team.

He’s coming off of a 2014 season that was the best year of his career. He threw for 3,705 yards and 34 touchdowns with only 9 interceptions. He lead the NFL in completion percentage (69.9%) quarterback rating (113.2) and ESPN’s QBR (82.75). He also completed 68% of his passes for 484 yards, 4 touchdowns, and no interceptions in the postseason. This was a 2014 season that saw him miss a game with small fractures in his back.

2014 was also the year of DeMarco Murray in Dallas. Eight games into the 2014 NFL season, Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray had over 1,000 rushing yards, and was on pace to set the league’s single-season rushing record. He would go on to a league-best 1,845 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. Now Murray is in Philadelphia, and the Dallas passing attack will have to make up for his loss.

They have the talent to do that, as Dallas has one of the most underrated receiving corps in the league. Everyone knows Dez Bryant, one of the NFL’s best talents at wide receiver, but there is a group of talented pass-catchers alongside him as well. Terrance Williams has been a consistent player, and showed his talent with 3 postseason touchdown receptions last year.

Cole Beasley has become one of Romo’s favorite targets in the middle of the field when he needs to pick up a crucial 3rd down. Jason Witten remains one of the league’s best tight ends who his miraculously always open, and Gavin Escobar has the talent to emerge as another great weapon at the position.

Tony Romo has shown us he has the toughness and desire to be an elite quarterback and he’s got the players around him to help him to greatness. That is an excellent formula for being one of the league’s top quarterbacks, something many would agree Romo already is, but more is needed in order to be considered the NFL’s Most Valuable Player.

The biggest thing that seems to be needed to win the MVP award is pure statistics. Sadly, the voters for the award seem to reward high-volume offensive statistics more than they do efficiency.

Because of the offensive strategy in Dallas, it is unlikely that Romo will set any records for passing yards or touchdowns any time soon. However, because of the questions at the running back position, the Cowboys will likely be relying on Romo more than they did last season.

If Tony had continued his level of efficiency but attempted as many passes as 2015 MVP Aaron Rodgers, Romo would have had more yards and touchdowns. Now with Murray gone, Tony may just get the chance to throw the ball all over the field like he’s shown he can.

It’s crunch time in Dallas. The team has only two playoff appearances since 2007, despite having some of the league’s best talents over that time. The pressure is on for Romo and Dallas head coach Jason Garrett to improve on last season’s trip to the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs. Romo knows he has to be better this season than he ever been to this point in his 11-year career.

Luckily for him, he’s better prepared for the season than he has been in several years. He was unable to play much last offseason due to his back surgeries, and this lead to a poor season-opening performance in which he threw 3 interceptions (1/3 of his total INTs for the season). Now he’s healthy and looking good:

"“I think he’s ready,” said Dallas quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson (via Rainer Sabin of the Dallas Morning News) “I think he’s light years ahead. I never anticipated him to do all of the OTAs and the offseason stuff, but he was so into it mentally and emotionally and got himself back physically to do that, and so that benefitted him. I think he is managing himself extremely well.”"

Romo is stronger and better prepared than he’s been in recent seasons, and he knows that he has to have a huge year or risk solidifying his critics’ opinions: that he can’t win big games. He’s one of the NFL’s best players to not be drafted, and could join Kurt Warner as an undrafted NFL MVP.

He’s going to have to get past the likes of Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, and Andrew Luck if he wants to do this though, and that may be very difficult. However, Rodgers lost his favorite target Jordy Nelson due to a knee injury, Brady doesn’t have as talented of a receiving corps as Romo, and Luck seems too addicted to turning the ball over.

Tony Romo is efficient and effective, and he knows how to lead an offense. The Cowboys are an improved team to last year, especially on defense, and could be in store for a huge season as a team. If Dallas can solidify itself as one of the league’s best teams, and Tony Romo can maintain this efficiency, he should find himself in the conversation as the leagues Most Valuable Player for the 2015-16 season.

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