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According to multiple reports, the Dallas Cowboys will release quarterback Tony Romo when the NFL year opens on Thursday. While the timing might have been in question, Romo's departure was not.

As NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal notes, the timing allows Romo to find a new home faster and could create more potential landing spots for him.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday the Broncos and Texans are "very interested suitors," meaning they will be fighting over a quarterback for the second straight offseason. The Texans came up short at QB when they signed Brock Osweiler last March and they are looking for help once again.

One source told 9News in Denver's Mike Klis that Romo’s preferred choice is the Broncos. In addition to Denver and the Texans, other teams in the quarterback market would be San Francisco (who are reportedly planning to sign Brian Hoyer on Thursday), Chicago, Cleveland and the New York Jets.

None of those teams, though, have been nearly as competitive as the Broncos in recent years. The assumption is Romo at this late stage in his career would not want to be part of a rebuilding project.

Rapoport expects Romo to take a Peyton Manning-style visit tour in the coming days, so don't necessarily expect a quick signing. The release also indicates that the Cowboys were not confident in their ability to inspire any trade compensation for Romo, especially under the terms of his previous contract.

Romo will leave the Cowboys as the franchise leader in yards passing and touchdowns after losing the starting job to rookie Dak Prescott. Dallas' 10-year starter broke a bone in his back in a preseason game last year.

Romo, who turns 37 next month, threw for 34,183 yards and 248 touchdowns, but could never match the postseason success Super Bowl winners Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman did during their time as Cowboys.