Dallas Cowboys: Jason Witten’s Last Rodeo

If things go as expected, this Sunday may be the last time Dallas Cowboys fans get to see Jason Witten play professional football.

The Dallas Cowboys are in second place in the NFC East and will need to both win and get help from others if they want a postseason berth. As such, this Week 17 match-up against the Washington Redskins is quite possibly the last game of Jason Witten’s career.

It’s safe to consider the 2019 season as the 37-year-old’s encore season to his Hall of Fame career. The 11x Pro Bowler has been a fixture ‘round these parts since Bill Parcells drafted him in the 3rd round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He shocked Cowboys Nation 18-months ago with a sudden retirement, but after struggling through a career “rebirth” in the booth, Witt came back to Dallas for one last hurrah. Giving fans their chance to say good bye the right way.

Jason Witten embodied the work ethic and determination Cowboys’ teams of the past were famous for. The focused, often grumpy, tight end out of Tennessee made a name for himself executing the Y-option to precision. He and Tony Romo developed a bond that very few QB/TE ever remotely approach. They were almost undefendable.

Only Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez is a more accomplished pass-catching TE than Witten, and Witten was twice the blocker of Gonzo…or really any other prolific TE of the past few generations. All ensuring Witt a first ballet entry five years after his eventual retirement.

Obviously there’s been major slippage in all areas of his game over the past few years. Since 2015 he’s declined quite noticeably as both a receiver as well as a blocker. If it wasn’t for a dearth of talent down the depth chart, he probably couldn’t have had this 2019 encore in Dallas.

The Dallas Cowboys will surely address this position in the offseason. Even with the rise of Blake Jarwin, they need to invest heavily, since their TE position rates as one of the worst in the NFL. Could Jason Witten come back?

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Of course. And with all due respect to Witt, the Dallas Cowboys may be dumb enough to facilitate that. Because let’s be honest, Witten is not the man he used to be. He hasn’t had a top-20 TE receiving grade from Pro Football Focus since 2014. Now, he’s been arguably the most dependable TE still– but his ability to make plays drops every single season. Age will do that.

This season, Jason Witten ranks 44th on PFF’s 2019 list (11 spots behind Jarwin). Some may discredit PFF’s harsh judgement but their analysis is the same that praised him for having such a complete skill-set and consistent performance for years.

It just seems quite clear the Dallas Cowboys need major upgrades at the TE spot and they can’t do so with Jason Witten demanding snaps. Frankly, he should have taken the back seat to Blake Jarwin this season.

It’s important to appreciate how far Witten has fallen in order to appreciate how great the 2x All-Pro really was throughout his career. One of the best players to ever play in the NFL is likely playing his last game on Sunday and we should recognize that.

What’s next for Jason Witten? Maybe he’ll try TV again or maybe his personality is better suited for coaching. Heck, we shouldn’t be surprised if he wants to play again. But given his age and how far his skills have eroded, retirement is probably the best option for both him and the Dallas Cowboys. So this Sunday may be our last chance to see this all-time great wear The Star on his helmet.

• Published on 12/27/2019 at 12:01 PM
• Last updated at 12/27/2019 at 07:52 AM