Witten retires after 15 seasons to reportedly join MNF booth
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten announced his retirement from the NFL on Thursday. He'll transition to an analyst role on Monday Night Football, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter and Todd Archer.
The career Cowboy informed owner Jerry Jones and head coach Jason Garrett after struggling with the decision, multiple sources told Archer.
ESPN has been searching for a new lead analyst since Jon Gruden returned to coaching by joining the Oakland Raiders this offseason. After running through candidates, the network reportedly offered Witten north of $4 million per season to fill the role.
The news reportedly came as a surprise to the Cowboys, who ultimately drafted a tight end in the fourth round of this past weekend's draft.
Witten played for the Cowboys for 15 years. He retires with 1,152 career receptions, 12,448 receiving yards, and 68 touchdowns. He was named to 11 Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams, and was the 2012 Walter Payton Man of the Year.
He ranks fourth all time in career receptions, first in Cowboys franchise history in catches and receptions, and third in franchise history in receiving touchdowns - just three scores behind Bob Hayes and five back of Dez Bryant.
During Witten's time in Dallas, the team never made it past the divisional round of the playoffs.