By TODD ARCHER / The Dallas Morning News
PLANO ? A year ago Monday, Tony Romo made the first start of his NFL career.
On Monday, the Dallas Cowboys let it be known that Romo is the quarterback for now and the future.
According to multiple sources, Romo agreed to one of the richest deals in team history with a six-year extension worth $67.5 million. The deal includes $30 million in guaranteed money and an $11.5 million signing bonus.
"It's closer than it was," Romo said. "It's neat that the organization is behind you. That makes it fun."
In total money, Romo's deal is second in team history to the nine-year, $85.5 million deal Troy Aikman signed in 1998.
The money is a staggering figure for a quarterback who has made just 17 regular season starts. But in that time, Romo has proved he can shoulder the responsibility of being the quarterback for America's Team.
Since Aikman retired after the 2000 season, the Cowboys' search for his replacement has been long and fruitless.
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones attempted to find a successor, from Quincy Carter to Chad Hutchinson to Vinny Testaverde to Drew Henson to Drew Bledsoe.
Little did Jones know that the undrafted free agent from Eastern Illinois to whom he paid a $10,000 signing bonus in 2003 would be the next link in the Cowboys quarterback chain, which includes Hall of Famers Roger Staubach and Mr. Aikman.
All along, Jones had said Romo would be his quarterback for the future, but he did not feel rushed to make a deal. Neither did Romo, who took out a $30 million insurance policy at the beginning of the season.
"It hasn't been [a distraction]," Romo said of the negotiations.
In seven games, Romo leads the NFC with 16 touchdown passes and 1,984 yards. For his career, he has completed 370 of 576 passes for 4,887 yards with 35 touchdown passes and 22 interceptions.
Most important, the Cowboys are 12-5 with Romo as a starter.
"He's the franchise," linebacker Akin Ayodele said. "He's the future of the team. ... He showed he's not going to let a contract deter him from playing. He was showing he was dedicated to his teammates."
In addition to the $11.5 million signing bonus, the Cowboys added $4.5 million to his $1.5 million base salary. Without a deal, Romo was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent when the season ended.
With the current agreement, he will be a Cowboy though 2013.
"It feels good to know this is where you're going to be for a long time," Romo said, although continuing to deny a deal was complete. "I feel like I'm going to be with the Cowboys for the rest of my career."
The $67.5 million in new money is more than St. Louis gave Marc Bulger in a six-year extension this off-season, and Romo has played in two fewer Pro Bowls than Bulger.
Romo's popularity has grown immensely since taking over for Bledsoe last season. His life has become an open book, and he has been linked to pop starlets Carrie Underwood and Sophia Bush. Having spent part of last weekend's bye in Hollywood, Romo saw his name come up in the gossip columns when he was spotted in the same circles as Britney Spears.
Romo laughed off the latest news, just as he has laughed off the many headlines he has been a part of over the last year.
............................................................
Its good going into this game that Romo is signed.
Now he can relax and just play football.
This could have a signifigant impact on this play.
PLANO ? A year ago Monday, Tony Romo made the first start of his NFL career.
On Monday, the Dallas Cowboys let it be known that Romo is the quarterback for now and the future.
According to multiple sources, Romo agreed to one of the richest deals in team history with a six-year extension worth $67.5 million. The deal includes $30 million in guaranteed money and an $11.5 million signing bonus.
"It's closer than it was," Romo said. "It's neat that the organization is behind you. That makes it fun."
In total money, Romo's deal is second in team history to the nine-year, $85.5 million deal Troy Aikman signed in 1998.
The money is a staggering figure for a quarterback who has made just 17 regular season starts. But in that time, Romo has proved he can shoulder the responsibility of being the quarterback for America's Team.
Since Aikman retired after the 2000 season, the Cowboys' search for his replacement has been long and fruitless.
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones attempted to find a successor, from Quincy Carter to Chad Hutchinson to Vinny Testaverde to Drew Henson to Drew Bledsoe.
Little did Jones know that the undrafted free agent from Eastern Illinois to whom he paid a $10,000 signing bonus in 2003 would be the next link in the Cowboys quarterback chain, which includes Hall of Famers Roger Staubach and Mr. Aikman.
All along, Jones had said Romo would be his quarterback for the future, but he did not feel rushed to make a deal. Neither did Romo, who took out a $30 million insurance policy at the beginning of the season.
"It hasn't been [a distraction]," Romo said of the negotiations.
In seven games, Romo leads the NFC with 16 touchdown passes and 1,984 yards. For his career, he has completed 370 of 576 passes for 4,887 yards with 35 touchdown passes and 22 interceptions.
Most important, the Cowboys are 12-5 with Romo as a starter.
"He's the franchise," linebacker Akin Ayodele said. "He's the future of the team. ... He showed he's not going to let a contract deter him from playing. He was showing he was dedicated to his teammates."
In addition to the $11.5 million signing bonus, the Cowboys added $4.5 million to his $1.5 million base salary. Without a deal, Romo was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent when the season ended.
With the current agreement, he will be a Cowboy though 2013.
"It feels good to know this is where you're going to be for a long time," Romo said, although continuing to deny a deal was complete. "I feel like I'm going to be with the Cowboys for the rest of my career."
The $67.5 million in new money is more than St. Louis gave Marc Bulger in a six-year extension this off-season, and Romo has played in two fewer Pro Bowls than Bulger.
Romo's popularity has grown immensely since taking over for Bledsoe last season. His life has become an open book, and he has been linked to pop starlets Carrie Underwood and Sophia Bush. Having spent part of last weekend's bye in Hollywood, Romo saw his name come up in the gossip columns when he was spotted in the same circles as Britney Spears.
Romo laughed off the latest news, just as he has laughed off the many headlines he has been a part of over the last year.
............................................................
Its good going into this game that Romo is signed.
Now he can relax and just play football.
This could have a signifigant impact on this play.
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