Jerry Jones: 'No plans' for Romo to leave Cowboys next season

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he's not even thinking about the idea that quarterback Tony Romo won't be on the team next season.

"I have no plans for (Romo) not to be part of the Dallas Cowboys. Not a consideration," Jones said Thursday, according to Rob Phillips of dallascowboys.com.

Now fully healthy, Romo recently conceded the starting job to rookie Dak Prescott, who's led the Cowboys to an 8-1 start.

Jones described the notion of Prescott and Romo together on the roster beyond 2016 as "very tenable."

Jones did perhaps leave the door open just a crack for Romo's departure, however.

"I think Tony has five years left of really competing for a Super Bowl," Jones said, according to Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News. "I believe Tony will be the quarterback on a Super Bowl team. I believe that strongly."

Of course, it remains to be seen whether Romo would be content remaining Prescott's backup beyond this season - and impossible to see him accepting it for five years, as Jones seemed to suggest.

Some analysts believe Romo's classy speech in handing the torch to Prescott was also intended to let other teams know he still has a burning desire to start.

Romo is set to carry a cap hit of more than $24 million next season, likely making him very difficult for the Cowboys to trade. It's possible he'll demand a release, and it's difficult to see Jones holding his longtime passer hostage on the roster.