FanPost

Jason Witten Most Beloved, Burdensome of Cowboys Tight Ends

Before Free Agency gets underway on March 9, 2017, we’re taking a look at all Dallas Cowboys players under contract for 2017, specifically grading the Dallas Cowboys’ cap space and how much of the salary cap each position consumes. In this article, we're reviewing the Cowboys tight ends.

Written by Jess Haynie

Cowboys Capology: Tight End Overview

Talking bad about certain players is a quick way to get yourself into trouble with your fellow fans, and that’s none more true than in the case of Cowboys tight end, Jason Witten. It doesn’t even matter if what you’re saying is true, because fans hold onto and honor their favorite players with fervor. The unfortunate truth of the NFL, though, is that the league salary cap has no regard for legacies and favoritism.

We need to talk about this, and as I realize how painful this may be for some of you, I’m reminded of something Samuel L. Jackson once said: "Hold on to your butts."

We’ve had our fair share of aging stars with imposing contracts in recent years. DeMarcus Ware and Tony Romo stand out as prime examples of beloved players who ultimately fell victim to the salary cap restraints placed on the Cowboys.

While it’s a less severe case, Jason Witten’s situation is much like that of Ware; his price tag continues to increase as his on-field performance declines. And as that gap widens, the burden placed on the team by keeping him on the roster intensifies.

Numbers Crunch: The 2017 NFL Salary Cap

Before we can really get into who gets what from the team in 2017, we need to first know what there is to give. A likely cap range of between $166 mil and $170 mil was given to the team in December, and since I like to consider myself a pragmatic guy, I’ll go with the low-end of that range, $166 mil. Anything over that is just a bonus.

Projected 2017 cap ($166 mil)+ 2016 team cap rollover ($2.4 mil)
= $168.4 mil 2017 Dallas Cowboys salary cap

As I mentioned, that may not be the final total when all is said and done, but it’s a solid estimation based on information currently available. Now that we have that out of the way, we can dig into the tight ends currently on the roster and see how much each one figures to cost against the Dallas Cowboys’ 2017 salary cap.

Cowboys Tight Ends: Jason Witten

TE Jason Witten

Jason Witten - 2017 Cap Hit: $12.26 million

Jason Witten is due to have the largest salary cap hit of any tight end in the NFL in 2017, and the vast majority of Cowboys fans won’t even flinch at that knowledge. Witten is and has been a beloved member of this team for over a decade, and even the hint of stating he’s overpaid is perceived as disloyalty by some.

And yet the fact still remains that Jason Witten is coming off of his lowest yardage total since his rookie season. He’s still an outstanding route-runner but his days of being the team’s second-best receiving option – and even its primary receiving threat at times – are gone.

It’s not all on Jason Witten, mind you, as changes to the Cowboys’ offense have contributed to the decline. Tony Romo treated Witten as a security blanket most of their years together and they have maintained great chemistry together, but Dak Prescott is now the quarterback and his chemistry with Jason isn’t as strong. Instead, Prescott has favored Cole Beasley as his safety net in the passing game.

Jason Witten’s contributions in 2017 are unlikely to equal his impact on the salary cap, and I’m afraid there is no getting around that. It is Jason Witten, however, and his is such a legacy that we may just have to swallow his cap charge for another year.

Cowboys Tight Ends: James Hanna

TE James Hanna

James Hanna - 2017 Cap Hit: $3 million

The Dallas Cowboys re-signed tight end James Hanna as a free agent in 2016 and paid him generously to keep him around. He’s touted as perhaps the best blocking tight end on the roster but an ongoing knee injury kept him largely out of contention during the 2016 season. That knee injury led to Hanna undergoing surgery.

The front office clearly holds Hanna in high regards considering the contract he received, and his blocking skills will be ever more valuable now that Dallas is more focused on Ezekiel Elliott and their running game.

James Hanna is exceptionally athletic for his size, which could see him receiving more targets from QB Dak Prescott as Witten’s primary backup.

Cowboys Tight Ends: Geoff Swaim

TE Geoff Swaim

Geoff Swaim - 2017 Cap Hit: $629k

While most had another player in mind for the role, it was Geoff Swaim who took advantage of Hanna’s injury. He not only proved to be a talented blocker, but Swaim also showed some flashes in the passing game. His momentum was stopped dead in its tracks around mid-season when he suffered a pectoral injury that ended his year.

Swaim should be a valuable depth player behind Jason Witten and James Hanna in the third year of his rookie contract. While his upside is still undecided, he’s already surpassed expectations for a seventh round draft pick and further demonstrated the fine work of Will McClay and the scouting department in Dallas.

Cowboys Tight Ends: Rico Gathers

TE Rico Gathers

Rico Gathers - 2017 Cap Hit: $465k

The former collegiate player for the Baylor basketball program survived a year on the Cowboys’ practice squad, and the team is hopeful that the 6’8" prospect can now contend for playing time after a year of coaching.

Free Agent Cowboys Tight Ends

Gavin Escobar – The former second round draft pick fell to fourth on the depth chart during the 2016 preseason, but still managed some playing time after injuries depleted the position. It looked as though Escobar might be released last August, if not for the injury suffered by James Hanna.

In what was seen by many as an opportunity was ultimately another disappointing season for Escobar. Even once both James Hanna and Geoff Swaim were sidelined for the season, Gavin Escobar showed us the same lack of performance as in seasons past. Escobar will enter free agency and there’s a team who has a place for him now that his rookie deal has expired.

2017 Tight End Salary Cap Impact

Total Cap Hit of Tight Ends: $16.35 mil
Portion of 2017 Salary Cap: 9.71%

The biggest question remaining is whether or not the Cowboys can do anything to reduce Jason Witten’s number from $12 mil, with $4.8 mil still remaining in guaranteed money. It’s likely not a matter of whether or not Witten is fated to become a cap-casualty, but with nothing beyond 2017 on his contract restructuring his deal is out of the question.

That leaves only two options:

As cornerback Brandon Carr did last year, Jason Witten could agree to a pay-cut, lowering his $7.4 mil base salary for 2017. Unlike with Brandon Carr, however, the Cowboys have no leverage with Witten. Carr was facing a release if not for the pay-cut, which is what ultimately even made it an option.

A contract extension could be negotiated between Jason Witten and the Dallas Cowboys. It would provide future years for which to spread money around – effectively restructuring his deal – by converting base salary into bonus money. It does pass the proverbial and literal bucks should Witten retire following the 2017 season, but there may be benefit in spreading funds around a bit anyway.

The only thing we know for certain is that Jason Witten is as team-friendly a guy as they come in the NFL. Ever the consummate teammate, if there is a fair and just way for him to help the team, he will consider it.

Leverage versus loyalty. It’s the ultimate conflict between players and their teams.

Such matters can leave those involved feeling bitter and betrayed, especially the fans rooting from the stands, but it’s another part of this wonderful time of year we call the NFL Off-season.

Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.