Jason Witten’s retirement from football is over, and thus, so is his broadcasting career … at least for now. Witten and the Dallas Cowboys have announced that the tight end will return to the playing field next season.
Jason Witten has decided to end his retirement and return to the #DallasCowboys for what will be his 16th season.
Read more ? https://t.co/FMCVCje25K pic.twitter.com/azFKYzn4SA
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) February 28, 2019
NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports that Witten will return with a contract that will pay him about $5 million next season:
Jason Witten has decided to end his retirement and return to the #DallasCowboys for what will be his 16th season.
Read more ? https://t.co/FMCVCje25K pic.twitter.com/azFKYzn4SA
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) February 28, 2019
Though his on-field production was very impressive in its own right, perhaps the most notable thing about Witten’s playing career thus far is the fact that in 15 years he only missed one game. As for the production, he’s been as consistent a weapon as virtually any tight end of the modern era. In total, Witten has caught 1,152 passes for 12,448 yards and 68 touchdowns. He was named All-Pro five times as well as 11 Pro Bowls. Currently, he ranks fourth on the NFL’s list of most career receptions beneath Jerry Rice, Tony Gonzalez, and Larry Fitzgerald.
The biggest question mark will be how much Witten has left in the tank. He’ll turn 37 next season and his career arc was clearly on the decline that last time we saw him on the field. In 2017, he hauled in 65 receptions, the fewest in his career save for his rookie season. His 560 yards also represented a low mark with the exception of his first year.
However, the Cowboys might not be expecting much in terms of production, but see the move as one that will benefit the team in the locker room and a veteran presence for quarterback Dak Prescott.
Arguably more intriguing is the role Witten leaves at ESPN and Monday Night and what ESPN has in mind regarding a replacement. Witten was the color analyst in the booth for the 2018 broadcasts.
