Tony Romo: How much is he going to cost Jerry Jones?
Tony Romo came out of nowhere to start 11 games for the Cowboys; and earn a Pro Bowl nod in the process. After the season, the Cowboys underwent a lot of change including the departure of larger-than-life Bill Parcells as well as most of his assistant coaches. Expectations this season were huge for the entire team, with Wade Phillips inheriting a team that was favored to win the NFC East by more than a few pundits.
In the offseason, Tony Romo’s agent and Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones agreed to postpone talks of a new contract extension. Jones wanted some proof that Romo’s 2006 season wasn’t a fluke. Romo, with really no leverage, happily agreed to hold off talks believing that a strong 2007 would go a long way in helping him raise his asking price.
I’m guessing Romo is happy Jones wanted to wait.
Through the first four weeks of the season:
- 72 for 121 (60%)
- 1,199 yards passing
- 9.9 yards per attempt
- 11 TDs
- 3 INTs
- 112.9 passer rating
- 71 yards rushing
- 2 rushing TDs
With his next start, Romo will have a full 16-game season under his belt. In 15 games as a starter, his numbers already compare to the best to ever play the position. Through 15 games as a starter:
- 290 completions
- 456 attempts
- 64% completion
- 4,067 yards
- 8.9 yards per attempt
- 29 TDs
- 16 INTs
- 173 rushing yards
- 2 rush TDs
So how much is Romo’s contract going to cost the Cowboys?
As with any negotiation, it starts with the most recent deals at the position.
- Marc Bulger (STL) signed a 6-year, $65 million extension this offseason, with $27mm in guarantees
- JaMarcus Russell (OAK) signed a 6-year, $68 million rookie dea, with $32mm in guarantees
- Matt Schaub (HOU) signed a 6-year, $48 million contract in Houston, with $7mm in guarantees
Needless to say, Romo is more proven than either Russell or Schaub were at their signings, and few would argue that he’s not playing as well, if not better than Bulger did in his career-best 2006 campaign.
Since we’re playing along at home, I’m going to go on record and say Romo and the Cowboys come to a $6-year, $75mm deal with $30mm in guarantees before the season ends. What is your prediction?
Loading ...
[…] According to the folks at Football Guys, Tony Romo (he’s so hot right now) will soon benefit from being the first player Jerry Jones […]
Pingback by Tony Romo soon to represent group of oil tycoons at this is an adventure — October 1, 2007 @ 2:37 pm
[…] On October 1st, I asked the question: How much is Tony Romo going to cost Jerry Jones? […]
Pingback by Footballguys Blog » Tony Romo signs extension: I’m not going to say I told you so… — October 29, 2007 @ 9:33 pm