When the NFL’s free agency begins, March 17th 4pm ET, Jason Witten plans to leave the Las Vegas Raiders and sign a one-day contract with the Dallas Cowboys. Once signing the contract, Jason Witten will officially retire as a Cowboy. Witten’s 17-season career will come to an end after a long and illustrious career as a Cowboy, and briefly as a Raider. The future Hall of Famer had a prolific career as a big-bodied, sure-handed target. Witten’s ability to move the chains resulted in high volume targets as Tony Romo’s frequently-used safety valve.
Jason Witten is retiring after 17 years in the NFL, per @toddarcher.
He’s going to a sign a one-day deal with the Cowboys. pic.twitter.com/A2AtGeL1sb
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) January 27, 2021
Farewell to One of the Greats: Jason Witten Plans to Retire as a Cowboy
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Witten Was One of the Most Productive Tight Ends in NFL History
Witten began his career with a slow start in 2003. He logged 35 catches on 54 targets with 1 touchdown. His second season, however, yielded a pro bowl selection. The future hall of fame tight end narrowly missed 1,000 receiving yards (980 yards on 87 catches) and caught 6 touchdowns. Witten earned a pro bowl selection 10 more times and the all-pro team twice over the next 14 seasons. Witten ranks fourth all time in receptions with 1,228 catches. He trails Jerry Rice, Larry Fitzgerald, and only Tony Gonzalez at his own position in this category. Jason Witten ranks 19th in receiving yards with 13,046yards, and second amongst all tight ends trailing only Gonzalez with 15,127 yards. Witten also ranks 38th in touchdowns with 74, including fifth among all tight ends trailing Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronkowski, Antonio Gates, and yes… Tony Gonzalez.
Success in Dallas
Aside from tremendous NFL success, Witten dominates the record books for all Cowboys. Witten ranks 1,215 (First) receptions 12,977 (First) yards, 72 touchdowns (Third), and 255 games played (First) in a Dallas Cowboys uniform. Jason Witten has undoubtedly been the most productive pass catcher in Dallas Cowboys history.
(https://jasonwitten82.com/bio/)
Off the Field Success
Witten’s success spans further than catching the football. In 2012 Witten was named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. Prior to winning the award, Witten served as the Dallas Cowboys spokesman for NFL Play 60 and helped with the SCORE foundation. The SCORRE foundation served to help building projects in needed areas of Tennessee and Texas. Witten also served as a social figure to stop domestic violence. His JWSF SCOREkeepers program placed trained male mentors into battered women’s shelters to exemplify positive male role models to disrupt the cycle of domestic violence. Witten’s SCOREkeepers foundation also looks to positively influence community building learning centers, partnering with Albertsons in feeding children in need, and other community projects to positively influence the next generation.
Multigenerational Tight End
Witten overlapped with Romo and Dak Prescott. Jason Witten served the same role with the then rookie quarterback, molding Prescott into the MVP-esque prolific passer he is today. The veteran tight end caught 69 and 63 passes with 673 and 560 yards in two seasons with Prescott under center. He complimented his receiving stats with eight touchdowns in that time span earning a pro bowl selection in 2017. Without Witten and the veteran supporting cast, it is unlikely Prescott matures into the offensive superstar he is now.
Witten’s Post-NFL Career
After Witten’s initial retirement, he chose to pursue a career on Monday Night Football. Unfortunately, his reviews were primarily negative. Witten was quoted saying “it sucked going through it at times,” when discussing his short career as a commentator. Furthermore, ESPN is not expected to offer Witten another contract to re-enter the booth.
Witten’s success, both on and off the field, is likely to result in a first ball hall of fame commendation. He becomes eligible for the hall of fame in 2026.
Witten will focus on coaching in his retirement. His name was considered for the head coaching position at the University of Tennessee. However, Witten has chosen to become the head coach at Liberty Christian High School in Argyle, Texas where his children attend. When asked about his decision to coach high school football, Witten replied “Faith. Family. Football.” He claims to strive to be the best husband and father he can be.
Liberty Athletics is proud to announce Jason Witten as the new Head Football Coach!! #FORHIM | #ARMORUP pic.twitter.com/L0BmFduj8f
— Liberty Athletics (@NavyOut) February 1, 2021
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
