Jason Witten is back. After one season in retirement and attempting his hand at broadcasting, Witten has decided to return to the field for his 16th season. On Thursday, February 28, the Dallas Cowboys announced that Witten has agreed to a new deal with the team.
“The fire inside of me to compete and play this game is just burning too strong,” Witten said in a statement released by the franchise. “This team has a great group of rising young stars, and I want to help them make a run at a championship. This was completely my decision, and I am very comfortable with it. I’m looking forward to getting back in the dirt.”
Witten is currently fourth in NFL history with 1,152 career receptions. He is 21st in league history with 12,448 receiving yards in a franchise record 239 games.
The 6-foot-6, 265-pounder first entered the league as a third-round pick in the 2003 NFL Draft.
Throughout his career, Witten has been named to the Pro Bowl 11 times, is a two-time First-team All-Pro, and a former Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. During his college career at the University of Tennessee, Witten earned All-SEC honors.
During his year in retirement, Witten was a member of the broadcasting booth on Monday Night Football. The Cowboys retained his rights during that time with Witten placed on the NFL’s Reserve/Retired list.