Tony Romo

Dallas, TX

The Dallas Cowboys have started preliminary negotiations with quarterback Tony Romo for a contract extension.

According to an ESPN.com source, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has informed Romo that the team is interested in signing him to an extension.

The Cowboys are determined to sign Romo to an extension because his salary-cap charge will double from $8 million this season to $16 million next year.

The source, however, said Romo is not in a hurry to sign a contract extension, adding that the quarterback wants to get more leverage in negotiations by leading the Cowboys to the postseason this year.

"I haven't even thought about it," Romo said when asked about his contract situation.

Romo's six-year, $67.4 million contract that he signed in 2007 is set to expire after the 2013 season.

The 32-year-old Romo has started 78 career games, garnering 21,141 yards and 152 touchdowns during that span.

Last season, Romo garnered his highest quarterback rating at 102.5 after passing for 4,184 yards and 31 touchdowns.

In his first game this year, Romo threw for 307 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Cowboys to a 24-17 win over rival New York Giants.

If Romo continues his hot play, he is expected to vault past Roger Staubach and Danny White and take No. 2 in the franchise's passing list at the end of the season, behind Troy Aikman's 32,942 yards.

Staubach had 22,700 yards in his 10-year career from 1969 to 1979 while White had 21,959 yards in his 12 years with the Cowboys from 1976 to 1988.

 

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