Less than a year ago, Jason Witten came out of retirement to rejoin the Cowboys. But they now have a new coaching staff, for the most part, making the future Hall of Famer’s status less certain.
Witten has not committed to retiring or returning to the Cowboys for a 17th season. Preferring to stay in Dallas, the 37-year-old tight end has discussed his future with Jerry Jones and new Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy. But the player with the fourth-most receptions in NFL history acknowledged a Dallas departure is also possible.
“I realize I’m a free agent too in March. Any time a new staff comes together, I’ve played a long time, so I realize that may mean somewhere else too,” Witten said, via Jon Machota of The Athletic (on Twitter).
Among active players, Witten’s 255 games as a Cowboy are the second-most anyone has played with one team. He trails only Tom Brady (280 games as a Patriot) in this regard. Despite spending a year in the ESPN broadcast booth, Witten nearly duplicated his 2017 numbers by catching 63 passes for 529 yards and four touchdowns in a more explosive Cowboys offense.
Kellen Moore will return as Dallas’ OC and call plays, but Witten has worked with Jason Garrett in each of his past 12 seasons. A rumor circulated recently about Witten reuniting with Garrett in New York. The Giants, however, are better-positioned at tight end with Evan Engram and Rhett Ellison under contract in 2020. The Cowboys have Blake Jarwin (31 catches this season) as a restricted free agent.
He needs to RETIRE ALREADY
Why he broke
Witten NOT in a cowboys jersey? Would be weird.
Patriots with Olsen.
I don’t think he needs to retire if he wants to keep playing. He’s not in his prime nor is he washed up. He’s be a serviceable tight end and an upgrade for a number of teams and that’s really all that matters for a team looking to improve. He also has a great locker room presence if you factor in that type of intangible
Admire him for wanting to continue playing but can’t see another team signing him to take up the roster spot. He’s a shell of his former self with not a lot of upside other than durability. Maybe teams like Saints, Seattle, or Houston could be a fit as a backup.
The problem here will be money. Adrian Peterson went from $10 million/year for the Vikings to $1 million/year for the Redskins in less than a year and a half.
There’s only 1 other uniform I could see him in- that of the Tennessee Titans. Home.
Take a five year hiatus, become a kicker, then offer your services to the teams not lucky enough to sign Chad Johnson.
Anyone want a washed up 37-year-old tight end? Anyone? No?
I’ll miss him beating up on the NYG
Some people just can’t stand being out of the “limelight.” Who knows, maybe he needs the money.