Jason Witten has signed a four-year extension with the Dallas cowboys. 2017 was the final year on Witten’s current contract, but now he will be signed in Dallas through the 2021 season. Todd Archer reports:
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten has signed a four-year extension through 2021, according to league sources. This is the fourth contract Witten, who turns 35 in May, has signed with the Cowboys since being picked in the third round in 2003. He is the franchise leader in receptions and will become its leader in yards and most games played this season.
Witten is 35 in May, so this contract would keep him in Dallas until he is 39 years old. It’s probably not going to happen that he plays that long. This contract extension probably has more to do with salary cap implications than keeping Witten playing for four more years. I guess you can’t rule out that possibility with the ageless Witten, but even he has previously said he wasn’t sure how much longer he would play.
"You know, I don't know that it would be fair to say that [playing past 2017]. I think at this point you just go into it and look at it one year at a time. I wouldn't rule it out, but I don't think I'm going to be making an announcement that this is it either. I know how much it takes to put into it, so you don't know what you're going to feel like."
"I know what I'm capable of doing, the level I expect myself to play, because when I look back on it and will continue to evaluate this season, I really felt that I was able to do that this year. For me, I love playing with this group. I love my role within it and certainly my expectation is to play at that high level. I don't know how many years that reaches, but I still love doing it and the opportunity that I have."
Once the financial details become public, how this is a move for salary cap implications will become more clear.