Dallas Cowboys: Jason Witten extension furthers his legendary status
The Dallas Cowboys and tight end Jason Witten agree on a deal that further elevates him to franchise greatness.
News broke quickly Tuesday morning that the Dallas Cowboys have reached a deal with Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten. While no concrete numbers have surfaced, the deal will lower his salary cap impact over the next four years. According to NFL.com, he would have previously counted as $12.262 million against the cap for Dallas this season.
The impact on the Cowboys
The obvious immediate impact for Dallas comes from the lower salary cap hit. By knocking down the amount he counts against this season’s salary cap, the more money they’ll have freed up for the 2017 NFL Draft, which now sits less than a month away.
They’ll also lock down the greatest tight end the franchise has ever seen. Witten leads all Dallas Cowboys players (not just tight ends) in receptions with 1,089 and should become the all-time yardage leader in franchise history by halftime of the first game this year. That is, unless he fails to get at least 16 yards in that game.
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He’s been the team’s iron man, playing in all but one game over the span of his career. He only missed the 2003 game against the Eagles on October 12. He’s now played in 219 straight regular season games for the Dallas Cowboys. That’s also a franchise record.
The impact for Witten
Now it should be noted, that Jason Witten has never sought any kind of legendary status. But, this deal just further cements his position among the greatest in Cowboys history.
This deal further adds to the list of his great accomplishments with the team. Much like his 53-yard run with no helmet against the Eagles in 2007, this contract extension shows his willingness to put the team’s benefit before his own.
It gets him closer to his ultimate football dream. It gets him closer to a Super Bowl victory. It allows Dallas to surround him with more talent and put a supporting cast around him, Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott and Dez Bryant that can win it all.
This agreement also gives Witten the guarantee that he’ll finish his career with the team he’s given his complete loyalty. The extension ensures that he will remain a Dallas Cowboy until the age of 38. Because of that, it’s likely the final contract he’ll sign in his career as a player.
The impact for fans
For the next four years, the push for greatness has now intensified even further. Witten: the guy who honestly makes a greater mascot for what this franchise stands for than “Rowdy” does. He personifies everything that makes up a Cowboys legend.
Witten plays to his fullest every game. He puts the team’s needs above himself. And most importantly, he loves his fans with all of his heart and soul.
Truth be told, the fans benefit the most here. They should be honored. Forget what he does on the field. His charity work is well-recognized across the D/FW Metroplex and throughout the NFL.
His immersion and dedication to the Dallas-Fort Worth community shows his love for these people. Witten has given back graciously and generously by becoming a part of this community. Considering what he has done on the field, he would be well within his rights to chase the bigger check or a city with more “NFL Player appeal.” Yet, he hasn’t.
Instead, Jason Witten has decided that Dallas/Fort Worth is his home. Despite his Tennessee roots, this is it for him.
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The impact for his legacy
With all due respect to his amazing talent and his hard-nosed grit, this contract epitomizes what makes him a legend. He hasn’t finished making a case for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Although his worthiness for induction is undoubtedly already sealed, he’s already a great. His heart for the well-being of his family, fans, teammates and team are more important to him than his accolades. And that, Cowboys fans, is exactly what makes him legendary.