Future Hall of Fame TE Jason Witten announces his retirement

“Jason Witten has told ESPN he is retiring from the NFL after a 17-year career. He intends to sign one-day contract and retire as a member of the Dallas Cowboys in March when his contract with the Las Vegas Raiders expires in March,” ESPN’s Todd Archer reports.

Witten finishes his likely first-ballot Hall of Fame career having recorded 1,228 receptions for 13,046 yards with 74 touchdowns while playing an NFL record 271 games from the tight end position.

He earned a whopping 11 Pro Bowl appearances in 16 seasons with the Cowboys before falling on hard times in Vegas this past season. All said, Witten caught just 13 passes for 69 yards with the Raiders in 2020.

Now that Jason Witten has opted to retire, the question becomes what he might do in his post-football career. As noted above, he struggled from the broadcast booth with ESPN back in 2018. That doesn’t seem to be an option.

However, coaching is likely his next stop. In fact, the Tennessee Volunteers were looking at the possibility of hiring Witten as a head coach a couple years back. At least initially, a gig as a tight ends coach could make sense.

NFL world reacts to Jason Witten announcing his retirement