IRVING – Tony Romo has yet to throw a pass for the Cowboys in a regular-season game, but for the second time, they have signed the quarterback to a contract extension.
The Cowboys signed Romo to a two-year deal worth $3.9 million, including a $2 million signing bonus. He will earn base salaries of $900,000 and $1 million, and will have a chance to earn $1 million in incentives.
Romo was scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent after the season.
"What it came down to was, basically, I didn't want to leave this franchise, because the Joneses, they're so committed to winning that when I do start playing, I want to be part of something special," said Romo, who joined the Cowboys in 2003 as an undrafted free agent out of Eastern Illinois. "I also understand the business side was not perfect for me to sign for more years, but I'm pretty sure the Cowboys and I will be able to get something done in the future."
Owner and general manager Jerry Jones said Romo's strong preseason play helped convince him to re-sign Romo.
"I think it's a real indication that the Cowboys are, at this juncture, looking to Tony as it pertains to the future," Jones said. "But I don't want it to take anything away now from the future we think we've got with Drew Bledsoe."
Bledsoe is signed through next season, but he is entering his 14th season and has talked about knowing his career is coming to an end.
Romo finished the preseason 64 of 92 for 833 yards, with three touchdowns and three interceptions. On Thursday, Romo went 30-of-45 for 349 yards, with a game-tying touchdown with 17 seconds to play in regulation and two interceptions.
Romo's play led to speculation that he could be the opening-day starter, although Jones said that had not been discussed. Plus, Bledsoe has been effective in his preseason work, directing the offense to scores on six of 11 drives in three games.
"I don't think they'd do this if they're not expecting me to be something good," Romo said. "I couldn't be any happier anywhere else."
Romo was something of an afterthought when he signed with the Cowboys after earning the Walter Payton Award as the nation's top Division I-AA player. At the time, he was behind Quincy Carter, Chad Hutchinson and Clint Stoerner on the Cowboys' depth chart.
In 2004, the Cowboys had Carter, who had led them to the playoffs in 2003, and free-agent pickup Vinny Testaverde. They also made a $3.5 million commitment to Drew Henson. Had Carter not been cut, Romo's time with the Cowboys may have been over.
Now he stands as the quarterback of the future.
"At the time, you're trying to compete," Romo said. "The thing about it was I'm a very competitive individual, and I knew I was fighting an uphill battle going into training camp. And I wasn't going to give an inch. You usually have the chips fall in a good way if you lay it all out there and you just play."
E-mail tarcher@dallasnews.com
