The Dallas Cowboys made sure to lock down Tony Romo as their franchise quarterback for many years to come. Romo signed a large extension with the team that will pay him an average of $17 million a year over the next seven years. That is certainly a lot of money for a quarterback that has only won the team one playoff game. With the larger contract comes larger expectations, something linebacker DeMarcus Ware recognizes. He says it's put up or shut up time for Romo.
Ware spoke with Sirius XM NFL Radio on Thursday and discussed all things Dallas Cowboys. He immediately addressed Romo's new contract, saying that while he believes everyone is deserving of a new contract, Romo must show that he has earned it.
"I feel like everybody is deserving to whatever is given to him, but at the end of the day, to me it's put up or shut up. I'm just being straight-up honest with you. Get out there and be productive, and that's with any player. Whatever they get, they're deserving of it. You just got to get out there and play and I know he can be and will be the quarterback that is going to be the quarterback that is going to take us to the next level," Ware said.
The Cowboys are in need of a decent season. Romo has won one playoff game in his seven years as the team's starting quarterback. Last season the Cowboys went 8-8, once again missing out on the postseason. The past two seasons, the Cowboys have lost their final regular season game, costing them a trip to the playoffs. In 2012, Romo threw for 4,903 yards and 28 touchdowns. He had a completion percentage of 65.6, putting him as average among the other league quarterbacks.
Ware addressed that he believes there is always room for improvement with the Cowboys. He thinks the team has made some strong offseason moves, but not it is time for the team to perform.
While Romo is not considered one of the league's elite, he is certainly earning the money like one. Many Cowboys fans have questioned Romo's ability to lead the team to a championship. If he does not perform well in 2013 after the new deal, the team will have some issues.
