Jason Witten has been the driving force behind the Dallas Cowboys through three coaches and 13 quarterbacks during his 15 seasons with ‘America’s team’. He’s seen Terrell Owens, Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray line up next to him. He’s helped the team win the NFC East four times with six postseason trips but only two playoff wins under his belt. Many believed the future of Jason Witten was secured for a few more seasons after he signed a four-year extension last year. Cowboys fans were hoping for a couple more years of success from a man who has shown his value to the franchise both on and off the field.
Unfortunately for those Cowboys fans, it appears Witten’s time with the team is coming to an end. He is reportedly retiring and joining the Monday Night Football broadcast after Jon Gruden left the broadcast booth to take the head coaching job with the Oakland Raiders.
Following comes from Chris Mortenson of ESPN.
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten is on the brink of retirement after 15 seasons to join ESPN as an analyst for Monday Night Football, league and team sources told ESPN on Friday.
Witten, 35, had a meeting scheduled with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on Friday to inform him of the decision, sources said. Two sources said Witten’s plans won’t be final until he receives Jones’ blessing, and one source allowed that Witten could always have a last-minute change of heart.
A team source said the Cowboys were aware of the possibility, but Witten was not making a final decision until he met with Jones.
Nevertheless, the consensus is that Witten’s impressive football career is coming to an end.
Neither Witten nor Jones were available for immediate comment. ESPN declined comment and has had no announcement to reveal its new Monday Night Football broadcast team.
