Well.... Far be it for them to actually take a QB at #4, this would be acknowledging Romo's days are numbered. And I don't think they are prepared to admit that - even to themselves - as yet.
Stephen talked for quite a bit the other day about how ideal it is to have a young QB sit and learn before playing, mentioning Rodgers, Young and even how Parcells always preached this. I think the 3-4 thing is the company line so as not to undermine Romo and to avoid a media shit storm, perhaps also to prepare the fans from calling for the rookie too soon if we do draft a guy at 4. Even if we take a QB at 4 I think the line will stay the same, but if they're saying 3-4 to the media I'm sure behind closed doors Stephen is thinking it could easily be 2 years while hoping for 3-4.
I mean honestly, Jerry is definitely an idiot, and while I don't think Stephen is a "football guy" as far as being able to scout talent on his own, I do think that he is a generally pragmatic/intelligent guy and that has started to show the last 2-3 years. In light of these recent comments, there is no way you can tell me that Stephen definitively believes that Romo has 3-4 years at the age of 36 with this recent history:
-Back surgery following the 2013 season where he couldn't play the "win and you're in" final regular season game
-Said back surgery requires coddling through the 2014 season
-Breaks collarbone twice during 2015 season, missing all but about 4 games
-Collarbone surgery following the 2015 season
Now, I think Stephen hopes for 3-4, but I can't believe a guy as seemingly grounded as he is wouldn't even consider that Romo may only be around for another year or two. Jerry almost certainly believes the 3-4 thing though.