Tony Romo contract extension talks stall, according to report

Tony Romo and the Cowboys have ended contract extension talks, for now. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Talks have stalled between the Dallas Cowboys and quarterback Tony Romo on a potential contract extension, ESPN Dallas' Calvin Watkins reported Sunday. But it's likely that the main reason those talks ended is due to preference for no distractions during the season.

From Watkins' report:

The Cowboys want to sign Romo to an extension to help lower his salary cap number for 2013. Romo will count a team-high $16.8 million against the cap in 2013. In the past the Cowboys have lowered the salary cap numbers of several players such as Miles Austin and DeMarcus Ware.

Suspending talks is not seen as a negative issue between the parties because Romo and the Cowboys want a long-term future together. Rather, the team and Romo most likely don't want contract talks to become a distraction during the season.

Including this season, Romo has two years remaining on a six-year, $67.4 million contract he signed in 2007. Romo's cap number for next season is scheduled to hit $16.8 million — the highest on the Cowboys — and Dallas wants to reduce that to gain some cap flexibility next season.