Cowboys' Romo inks contract extension

DALLAS, Texas (AFP) –

Tony Romo of the Dallas Cowboys drops back to pass during their game against the Washington Redskins at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, on December 30, 2012. Romo has reached a six-year contract extension which would make him the highest paid player in Cowboys history, The Dallas Morning News reported on Friday.

Dallas star quarterback Tony Romo has reached a six-year contract extension which would reportedly make him the highest paid player in Cowboys history.

The 32-year-old Romo was offered an extension despite leading Dallas to just one NFL playoff victory in the last nine seasons.

The Cowboys don’t want to risk losing Romo, who would have become an unrestricted free agent after the 2013 campaign.

“This is a significant day in terms of securing stability for our team for the future,” Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said of the deal, which was reported by The Dallas Morning News to be worth $108 million with $55 million guaranteed.

Super Bowl-winning Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco recently signed a six-year $120.6 million contract with $52 million in guaranteed money.

“Tony is uniquely qualified to lead this team at the quarterback position for the next several years,” Jones said, citing Romo’s “abundance of experience and familiarity with our offensive philosophy”.

Last season, Romo threw for a career-high 4,903 yards and 28 touchdowns with 19 interceptions. His passing rating of 90.5 was the lowest of his career.

Romo has thrown for 177 touchdowns and 91 interceptions since joining Dallas in 2003.

“I want to thank the entire Jones family for believing and trusting in me to finish my career as a Dallas Cowboy,” Romo said. “There will be no greater reward, besides winning a Super Bowl, than playing my entire career as a Dallas Cowboy.