Cesar Tordesillas

The Dallas Cowboys have stepped up their contract negotiations with quarterback Tony Romo, according to team owner/general manager Jerry Jones.

"It's not a concern of mine," Jones said. "We all have to decide what date that is. Everybody involved: His agents. Him. Me. Us. The point I do want to make [about] this kind of commitment is I feel good about making it. I feel good about where he is in his career."

Romo, who is entering the final year of his contract, is scheduled to earn a base salary of $11.5 million in 2013.

The Cowboys are working to lower Romo's cap number, which is currently a team-high $16.8 million, to give the team some salary-cap relief to sign draft picks and free agents.

Also, Jones wants the Cowboys' offensive coaches to use Romo's skill set even more next season, making him the focal point for the offense.

"Tony sees remarkably. He sees the cars on the highway, so to speak. He reacts well on what he sees. And he is real good at taking his eye away from it and going back to it and throwing it," Jones said.

Those are really unique skills. We ought to be winning with that. Have we maximized everything that he is about to get it done?" he added.

Last season, Romo threw for 4,903 yards and 28 touchdowns. He had an eight-week stretch during the 2012 season where he threw 17 touchdowns and had just three interceptions.

However, Romo was tied for the league lead with 19 interceptions, including three in the regular-season finale with a playoff berth on the line.

Cowboys Step Up Contract Talks with Tony Romo - NFL 2013