FRISCO, Texas – After 17 seasons, Jason Witten retires from the NFL. He plans to sign a one-day deal and retire as a member of the Dallas Cowboys in March, when his contract with the Las Vegas Raiders expires at the end of the league.
Witten, 38, played 16 seasons with the Cowboys and spent 2020 with the Raiders. No tight end in NFL history has played more games than Witten’s 271 and only Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez has more receptions and yards at this position.
“A coach once said to me, ‘The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the legacy of a great example,'” Witten told ESPN. “As I close it, I leave knowing that for 17 seasons I gave him everything. I am proud of my achievements as a football player on the field and the example I tried to start. Football is a great game who taught me many valuable lessons and look forward to passing this knowledge on to the next generation. “
Witten retired for the first time since the 2017 season and spent 2018 as an ESPN Monday Night Football analyst, but chose to return to the Cowboys in 2019.
Elected in the third round in 2003, Witten became one of the best tight ends in NFL history. He has been named in the Pro Bowl 11 times, linked to Hall of Fame defensive line Bob Lilly, for most of Dallas history and was considered an extremely tight end due to his blocking ability, in addition to his capture. In 2012, NFL winner Walter Payton was named Man of the Year for the work he and his wife, Michelle, did with their foundation.
Witten is the all-time leader of the Cowboys in receptions (1,215) and yards (12,977) and is second in touchdown catches (72). He had four seasons of 1,000 meters, and in 2012 he set the record for catches in a season with a tight end (110) – a record that has been broken since then.
He played in a team record of 255 games, including a franchise record of 245 starts, missing only one career game due to a broken jaw as a rookie. He had 13 catches for 69 yards and two touchdowns for the Raiders, but was praised by coach Jon Gruden and close teammate Darren Waller for mentoring.
The coach has long been mentioned as a possibility for Witten’s next move. He was tied to opportunities at the NFL and college levels immediately if he wanted to start on that path. He will no doubt be inducted into the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor and will be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026.