For more than a decade, there have been two names that come to mind when mentioning the Dallas Cowboys. Tony Romo and Jason Witten. Witten has been a consistent threat in his career with Dallas and has been an intrigal part of their success on the field, as well as in the community.
Witten currently owns the Cowboys franchise record for catches (1,089), consecutive games played (219), consecutive games started (163), most receptions in a game (18), and only needs 17 yards to break Michael Irvin‘s receiving yards record (11,904).
Cowboys Ink Jason Witten to a Four-Year Extension
2017 was expected to be the 2012 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award winner’s final season with Dallas. It was the last year of his current contract and the tight end was contemplating retirement (plus Stephen Jones said the Cowboys had no plans to extend Witten).
If there’s one thing Cowboys fans can count on, hower, it’s that when Stephen or Jerry Jones says they’re not going to do something, it’s usually what they’re going to do. Such is the case with Witten as he has agreed to a four year extension with Dallas.
Four More Years or Salary Cap Adjustment?
The speculation behind this new extension for Witten is whether or not he will actually be playing for four more seasons, or if he is just helping alleviate some of the cap casualty from his previous contract.
With his previous contract set to count against $12.262 against the Cowboys salary cap, it is very likely that Witten has agreed to the extension to help his team out. Dallas needs some help in the defensive secondary after losing most of their starters and will likely use the new cap space to address those needs.
At the same time, Witten wants to win a Super Bowl and, with the way the 2016 season went, it seems like Dallas is primed for a real chance in the next few years. Witten has been relatively healthy and when he is injured, or sick, he simply plays through it so the idea of four more years is somewhat reasonable for the soon-to-be 35 year old.
Witten currently has 1,089 catches for 11,888 yards and 63 touchdowns in his 14 year career with the Cowboys. The Pro Bowl tight end also holds the NFL record for most receptions in a single season by a tight end, thanks to his 110 catches in 2012.
Witten also holds the record for most receptions in a single game by a tight end with 18, also in 2012 and is second only to Tony Gonzalez in career receiving yards by a tight end.
Whether it’s for salary cap reasons, or simply a contract extension, Cowboys fans everywhere can rest assured that their Pro Bowl tight end will be sticking around a while longer.
