IRVING, TEXAS ? Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has said multiple times during the past month that it’s plausible for 18-year veteran Vinny Testaverde to return as the team’s starting quarterback in 2005.

Coach Bill Parcells, who blames Testaverde’s poor play in the second half of the season partly on a withering supporting cast, also acknowledges that it’s an option the team will explore.

The bigger question, however, is whether Testaverde wants to come back.

Testaverde, who will turn 42 midway through next season, is mulling retirement and will decide following the season after he talks it over with his family.

But key to the decision for Testaverde is whether he’s having fun playing football.

Considering the Cowboys’ poor record, the weekly questions surrounding the quarterback position and the criticism (boos) he’s received, that has not been the case for most of the 2004 season.

More pointedly, he doesn’t want the quarterback circus that this season has become and would want a defined role from the outset.

“That is absolutely right,” Testaverde said. “I have to talk to the people that are involved if it comes to that and assuming they want me back here. But the main thing for me is, am I enjoying what I am doing and can I contribute to the team? Sometimes other factors come into play and it might not be worth it.

“We will add those up at the end of the year.”

Whatever he decides, Testaverde almost certainly can count on Parcells’ support.

Parcells has been unwavering in his support throughout this season — beginning with Testaverde throwing for more than 300 yards in the first two games to Testaverde’s leading the league in interceptions and carrying the third-worst passing rating.

Parcells said Testaverde’s age was not a problem, and said Testaverde was undone by season-ending injuries to receiver Terry Glenn and tight end Dan Campbell.

Since losing the speedy Glenn against Green Bay, the Cowboys have been unable to stretch the field in the passing game.

And without Campbell, they struggled to run the ball with any consistency.