Jason Witten plans to retire, join Monday Night Football

Posted by Mike Florio on April 27, 2018, 12:39 PM EDT
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Cowboys tight end Jason Witten recently said he plans to play until he’s 40. Those plans have quickly changed.

ESPN has announced (essentially) that Witten now plans to retire from the NFL and become “a lead analyst” on Monday Night Football. Witten intends to meet with Cowboys owner/G.M. Jerry Jones before finalizing the decision.

Witten, a future Hall of Famer and 15-year veteran who turns 36 on May 6, joins former teammate Tony Romo with high-profile TV gigs, if Witten takes the job.

The presence of the phrase “a lead analyst” in the de facto announcement suggests that there could be another analyst in the booth, making it potentially a three-person operation. Joe Tessitore is slated to become the play-by-play announcer on Monday night.

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54 responses to “Jason Witten plans to retire, join Monday Night Football”

  1. At least he’s telling them before the draft is over.

    Couldn’t be better news for Rico Gathers. Although it would have been nice to have a bit more advance notice…

  10. Wow this one really stings I don’t care what goes on with the Cowboys no matter what people say nobody can say anything bad about Jason Witten thanks for everything bud

  11. The end of an era. Witten is one of the finest people to ever wear the star, I am sad to see him go. It really sucks that he didn’t get to play in a Super Bowl. Add his name to the list with Romo and Ware of Cowboys players whose career was wasted by an inept owner and poor coaching. Even with his declining skillset, this is a huge hole for the Cowboys to fill. Oh well, Good luck Jason! Cowboys broadcasting on every big game now, lol!

  15. Odd timing, but perhaps he realized that Dallas won’t be drafting a real NFL quarterback anytime soon.

  16. Mr. Wright 212 says:
    April 27, 2018 at 12:43 pm

    GOOD. GLAD HE’S GONE.

    Randy Moss should have gotten that gig, though.

    ================

    I suppose the Cowboys could have drafted Moss to play tight end, but I’m not sure that would have worked out so well. Creative suggestion, though.

  18. I think Witten knows his potential value to the team and his ability to pad his statistics are not as good as they were with Tony Romo as the QB.

    So he’s better off getting out now while his name is hot and he’s being offered really good money to be a color analyst.

    The Cowboys will miss him though. I’m sure they wish they had this information back when they made the decision to jettison Dez Bryant. I’m not sure they would have made a different decision, but generally speaking you like to know all the variables involved when you make an important decision.

  19. Dude probably hung out with and stood with all those retired players this week and went, “You know, I think I’m done.”

    If he’s not 100% in, then he’s doing the right thing. Let the next generation drive on. I hope he’s a good announcer.

  21. Why say you are playing into your 40’s, and two days later announce your retirement.
    I’m guessing he was told to retire as a cost saving move.

  22. He is trying to figure out if Jerry Jones still wants him around. If not, he will take the job at MNF. If so, he will keep on playing. He does not want to be cut by the Cowpies after the MNF opening has been filled by someone else.

  25. kevpft says:
    April 27, 2018 at 12:52 pm
    Mr. Wright 212 says:
    April 27, 2018 at 12:43 pm

    GOOD. GLAD HE’S GONE.

    Randy Moss should have gotten that gig, though.

    ================

    I suppose the Cowboys could have drafted Moss to play tight end, but I’m not sure that would have worked out so well. Creative suggestion, though.

    —-

    My award for best comment of the day. I would have just explained that Moss wasn’t a TE. Love the creativity!

  27. The guy was surely one of the all time greats at tight end. A great player and a class act. I wish him nothing but the best.

  30. You’re really going to see if Dak is a franchise QB this year or if he’s simply a journeyman.

  31. Tony Romo is SUCH a very good analyst.

    Not sure how a Tight End’s perspective on the game could be as illuminating as that of a quarterback.

  32. player of America’s Team!!!!

    When is America’s team going to win another playoff game?

  34. i.e. – Jason knows Dak is going to take them nowhere fast and would rather get out before he suffers through additional futile seasons!

  35. Positions like this doesn’t open up very often. Aikman, Collingsworth, Fouts, etc. all been on longer than 10+ years. Could be 5+ years before another opportunity.

  36. This guy broke the cycle of DV and then used his time to help even more. Everything else in his life is a bonus. Anyone trolls this guy is an alltime loser.

    Best of luck,

    Giants’ fan.

  38. nhpats says:
    April 27, 2018 at 12:59 pm
    No Dez.
    No Witten.
    No Romo.

    No playoffs again.

    _____________________________

    Not really a factor seeing how that group only made the playoffs once with all 3 as starters……..

  39. allsyntax says:

    April 27, 2018 at 12:42 pm

    At least he’s telling them before the draft is over.

    Couldn’t be better news for Rico Gathers. Although it would have been nice to have a bit more advance notice…
    _____________________________________________________________________________

    I think the team would have wanted this information long before the draft.

  41. Not the fastest dude but was so great at finding openings in the zone defense and getting open consistently over the middle. Also he never left at the field at all, only missed one game in his career. That no helmet run after the catch against the Eagles is his signature play by far, first ballot HOF in 5 years

  42. All the stupid ppl down voting ppl saying Whitten is a Class Act and a great player are not football smart or are just not smart period.

  43. footballfan72 says:
    April 27, 2018 at 1:49 pm
    Love or hate the Cowboys, there is no denying he’s a first ballot HOFer and lock for the ring of honor! Tell me I’m wrong. #82
    ———-

    Witten is a compiler.

  51. stellarperformance says:
    Good luck………Packer-killer. Dang, he was good.
    ==

    I suppose it depends on your definition of “killer.”
    Did Jason /Witten put up excellent stats against the Packers? Sure, same as he did against most other teams. That’s because, as you said, he was extremely good.
    But if you think of a team “killer” as someone who always plays a critical role in helping his team beat yours, then no. Dallas played Green Bay 11 times since Witten was drafted in 2003. The Packers won eight times, losing only three.
    Witten was truly a great player, by all reports a good guy, but hardly a “Packers killer” by my definition. Of course, you’re entitled to your own definition. Either way, best of luck to Mr. Witten in his new career, and Go Pack!

  52. Aarons444 sorry but no. Witten is great but nonhes not top 5 at his position. In no particular order Sharpe, Gonzalez, Gates, Winslow, Ditka, Newsome and Gronkowski were all better than Written. That’s not to take anything away but top 5 tight end he is not.

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