Witten officially joins Monday Night Football broadcast

ESPN confirmed Jason Witten will join its Monday Night Football broadcast next season as an analyst, after the 11-time Pro Bowl tight end officially announced his retirement Thursday from the Dallas Cowboys and the NFL.

Witten's abrupt career change follows the path his former quarterback, Tony Romo, paved last year when he hung up his cleats for a broadcasting gig with CBS Sports.

"Jason's passion, his insight, and his ability to clearly communicate his knowledge of the game impressed us," ESPN executive vice president of content Connor Schell said in a news release. "He has the potential to be an exceptional analyst and we can't wait to get started."

Cowboys fans will have an opportunity to welcome the franchise's all-time leader in receptions back to the Big D as a broadcaster Nov. 5, when his old mates host the Tennessee Titans.