Cowboys tight end Jason Witten has informed the Cowboys he is retiring

Word broke last Friday that Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten was mulling over retirement and a new job in television.

Right before Leighton Vander Esch’s introductory press conference a few hours later, Jerry Jones assured the world that nothing was definitive concerning the all-world tight end.

Now, according to sources, it is definitive. Jason Witten has informed the Cowboys he is retiring from the NFL, and he’s already got a new job. Like his former on-field partner and real-life best friend, Tony Romo, Jason Witten is headed to the booth. He’ll serve as ESPN’s lead analyst for Monday Night Football.

The news of Witten’s retirement is certainly tough for Cowboys fans. We’re talking about one of, if not arguably the, greatest players in franchise history.

Jason Witten holds countless NFL and Dallas Cowboys records. He’s been the model of leadership both on and off the field, he’s even won the illustrious Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. Short of a Super Bowl, if there has been something to be achieved, #82 has done it.

Two years ago during the renaissance of youth for the Cowboys, Ezekiel Elliott affectionately nicknamed the franchise cornerstone “Gold Jacket Witt.” There aren’t many more perfect ways to describe Jason Witten in such few words.

While this retirement certainly leaves a big impact, the writing has been on the wall for some time. Witten flirted with the idea after the 2016 divisional round loss to the Green Bay Packers, and he reflected upon it when Dallas was eliminated on Christmas Eve last season.

Try as we might, there are no words to describe what Jason Witten has meant to the Dallas Cowboys. There is simply respect and everlasting gratitude.

Thank you, Jason Witten. For everything.