Cowboys superstar Jason Witten announces plans for 2018
2003 was a long time ago.
The sitcom “Friends” was still among the top-ranked shows on TV. Twitter didn’t exist. George W. Bush wasn’t even halfway done with his presidency.
It was also future Hall of Famer Jason Witten’s rookie season with the Dallas Cowboys.
Witten was taken in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft, which turned out to be a marvelous steal for Cowboys owner Jerry Jones.
That first season was a relatively quiet one for Witten, as he started only seven games while playing alongside nominal starting tight end Dan Campbell.
Starting in 2004, Witten’s career took off, never having fewer than 60 receptions in a season and never starting fewer than 15 games. Witten actually just finished his 11th straight season of starting and playing in all 16 games.
Witten is the Cowboys’ all-time leader in receptions (1,152) and receiving yards (12,448.) He is also third all-time on the Cowboys receiving touchdowns list with 68. Witten is less than 300 receiving yards away from surpassing Art Monk for 20th on the NFL’s all-time receiving yards list.
Suffice to say, Witten is a lock to make the Hall of Fame whenever he chooses to hang up his cleats. That looming retirement, however, will not occur this year.
“Oh, I’m coming back. I love playing this game too much and I know I can play at a high level,” Witten told The Dallas Morning News’ Kate Hairopoulos.
Witten, 35, has clearly lost a step as his career has begun to wind down.
His targets, receptions, and receiving yards have decreased each of the past three seasons.
And yet, when called upon, Witten can still make an incredible play or two.
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With the mercurial Dez Bryant still a hot-and-cold receiver, Witten has certainly been one of quarterback Dak Prescott’s more reliable targets despite the diminished numbers.
Witten and the Cowboys will look to bounce back from a disappointing campaign.
Despite finishing with a winning record, the Cowboys failed to make the playoffs at 9-7. The team’s season was also marred by suspensions and injuries.
With head coach Jason Garrett and Prescott expected to return in 2018, Witten will certainly enjoy a level of familiarity with the team next season.
Despite the retirement chatter, Witten is currently signed through the 2021 season for approximately $6.5 million per year. He would be 38 by the time that contract runs its course.
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