Jason Witten is hanging up the cleats (again).
The prolific tight end will sign a one-day contract with the Dallas Cowboys and retire with the franchise, according to ESPN's Todd Archer. Witten will sign the contract after his current one-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders expires in March.
Witten spent 16 of his 17 NFL seasons in Dallas and set franchise records across the board. He ranks first in Cowboys history (by far) in targets, receptions, and receiving yards, and trails Dez Bryant by one TD atop the franchise list.
The future Hall of Famer also owns the NFL record for most games started at tight end (271). He ranks second among tight ends and fourth all-time among pass catchers with 1,288 career receptions. He'll also retire among the all-time leaders for his position in receiving yards (13,046) and touchdowns (74).
He posted four 1,000-plus yard campaigns with the Cowboys and was elected to two All-Pro teams in 2007 and 2010. The hard-nosed TE was named to 11 Pro Bowls (most recently in 2017) and caught 71.4 percent of his targets over his illustrious career.
Witten retired for the first time following the 2018 season and spent one year as a color commentator alongside Joe Tessitore and Booger MacFarland in the “Monday Night Football” booth—to mixed results.
At 38 years old, Witten gave it one more go-round in 2020 for the Raiders. He appeared in all 16 games for Las Vegas this season (starting seven) but was limited to a career-low 13 catches for 69 yards and two touchdowns.
Witten is unquestionably one of the five greatest tight ends in football history, and his No. 82 should soon earn his place in the Cowboys' Ring of Honor.