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Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten could only stand retirement for one season.
Witten returned to the Cowboys in 2019 after sitting out the 2018 season, but he faces more questions about his future with free agency looming this March.
However, the future Hall of Famer has expressed a desire to return to Dallas, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic:
Jason Witten hopes to continue playing in Dallas. "But I realize I'm a free agent too in March. Any time a new staff comes together, I've played a long time, so I realize that may mean somewhere else too." Witten has talked with Mike McCarthy and stayed in contact w/ Jerry Jones.
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) January 30, 2020
Regardless of whether the Cowboys re-sign Witten, his mention of being “somewhere else” seems to indicate he would like to keep paying football.
Witten was hardly as prolific has he had been earlier in his career, but he still managed to catch 63 passes for 529 yards and four touchdowns, numbers very much on par with his 2017 campaign.
Even if the Cowboys do re-sign Witten, however, it might be on the premise of accepting a lesser role. Blake Jarwin has emerged as an explosive target for quarterback Dak Prescott, averaging over 11 yards per reception in each of the last two seasons.
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That being said, Witten is undoubtedly a legend in Dallas. He has spent his entire 17-year career with the Cowboys, racking up 1,215 receptions (fourth on the all-time list) for nearly 1,300 yards.
McCarthy put a pretty quick end to the notion Witten would transition to a coaching role with the Cowboys, but there is no telling yet whether he would like him to return as a player.
Meanwhile, ESPN's Chris Mortensen previously reported Witten might consider a reunion with Jason Garrett in New York if he does not return to Dallas.
With no on-field coaching spot on Mike McCarthy's @dallascowboys staff, sources say Jason Witten hasn't ruled out playing in '20, and not to rule out reunion w new @Giants OC Jason Garrett. Of Witten's 16 games, his most productive game was vs. Giants.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) January 19, 2020
All told, it seems Witten will strap the pads on for at least one more season.
