Jason Witten to retire?

[pwaldo]

https://www.profootballrumors.com/20...n-jason-witten

It remains to be seen if longtime Cowboys tight end Jason Witten will retire for a job in the Monday Night Football booth, but a decision is expected to likely come by Wednesday, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen tweets. Mortensen adds that a competing network has swooped in at the last minute with an “interesting” proposal that will also be considered.

Mortensen also reports that Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett is actively petitioning the Cowboys’ all-time leading receiver to return for a 16th season.

[Jameis1of1]

I predicted the Cowboys and Raiders would miss the playoffs last year when both were sexy SB picks ... and I'm predicting the same thing again this year as I don't think either had good off-seasons or drafts.

[pwaldo]

It is official

https://www.profootballrumors.com/20...etirement-espn

In an emotional press conference, Cowboys tight end Jason Witten announced his retirement from football. As widely reported over the past week, Witten will be stepping into the broadcast booth for Monday Night Football.

“After much self-reflection, prayer, and faith, I have decided that the time has come for me to pass the torch to the next generation of Dallas Cowboys and retire from the National Football League,” said Witten to a room full of media members, teammates, and family.

[Jameis1of1]

Witten was a great player and deserves to be in the HOF soon ... not first ballot ... but soon!

[bakemeister52]

He will be missed and I think he will make it on the first ballot!

[jplcom]

He's a shoe-in for the HoF. Part of a nationally popular team, put up big stats, career longevity, and some remarkable highlight reel plays (that big gain after catch without his helmet - ), and popular with the media. All makes for a guy with an easy path to the HoF. The only thing that might stand in his way for a first ballot is if Antonio Gates retires as well. Let's circle back to this post in five years.

[Jameis1of1]

^ I agree Jason is a shoe-in to eventually make it into the Hall of Fame ... but I'd be shocked if he makes it in on the 1st ballot. I don't think any tight end in the history of football has ever made it into the HOF on the 1st ballot and there is no way Witten is the GOAT tight end ... he's not even the greatest TE of his own generation as Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates and Rob Gronkowski were all better than he was.

[22emmittzone]

^ I agree Jason is a shoe-in to eventually make it into the Hall of Fame ... but I'd be shocked if he makes it in on the 1st ballot. I don't think any tight end in the history of football has ever made it into the HOF on the 1st ballot and there is no way Witten is the GOAT tight end ... he's not even the greatest TE of his own generation as Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates and Rob Gronkowski were all better than he was.

First ballot HOFer for sure. Don't know how you can argue otherwise based on statistics. He is the 4th all time leader in NFL history in receptions. Antonio Gates will never get to that mark as he is over 200 catches behind. He is the Cowboys all time leader in receptions and receiving touchdowns! Pretty sure some guys behind him on that list got in the Hall the first time around. Gronk is a better catching tight end, but Witten is definitely the best all around tight end to play the game. Gonzo is the best catcher ever, but lacked quit a bit in the blocking department. Gonzalez even came out and said Witten is "THE GREATEST" blocking/catching tight end to EVER play the game and is a 1st ballot HOFer. If you don't think he is the greatest all around, you don't watch the Boys. There are better catching TEs (Gonzo, Gronk). But, everyone is entitled to their opinion which is why it is fun to discuss these topics.

The stats don't lie!!! Any of those guys have more receptions in a single season or game than Witten?

You always come out with great arguments based off of statistics, but not sure how you can argue he is not a first ballot guy. So, don't be shocked when it happens. Do you ever say positive stuff about the Cowboys? lol. Cowboys had a bad draft? Is it that you don't believe the Raiders or Boys are going to make the playoffs or you just don't want them to? The Raiders are going for sure. They are legit contenders this year simply because of the addition of Gruden.

[jplcom]

First ballot HOFer for sure. Don't know how you can argue otherwise based on statistics.

I don't think anyone disagrees that Witten deserves his gold jacket. But there HOF committee votes on a lot of different players and there are a lot of deserving guys out there. For example, these guys were finalists in 2018:

• Tony Boselli, Tackle – 1995-2001 Jacksonville Jaguars
• Isaac Bruce, Wide Receiver – 1994-2007 Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, 2008-09 San Francisco 49ers
• Alan Faneca, Guard – 1998-2007 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2008-09 New York Jets, 2010 Arizona Cardinals
• Steve Hutchinson, Guard – 2001-05 Seattle Seahawks, 2006-2011 Minnesota Vikings, 2012 Tennessee Titans
• Joe Jacoby, Tackle – 1981-1993 Washington Redskins
• Edgerrin James, Running Back – 1999-2005 Indianapolis Colts, 2006-08 Arizona Cardinals, 2009 Seattle Seahawks
• Ty Law, Cornerback – 1995-2004 New England Patriots, 2005, 2008 New York Jets, 2006-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2009 Denver Broncos
• John Lynch, Free Safety – 1993-2003 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2004-07 Denver Broncos
• Kevin Mawae, Center – 1994-97 Seattle Seahawks, 1998-2005 New York Jets, 2006-09 Tennessee Titans
• Everson Walls, Cornerback – 1981-89 Dallas Cowboys, 1990-92 New York Giants, 1992-93 Cleveland Browns

I'm sure a number of these guys will get in between now and 2023 but certainly not all, especially you've got these guys as semi-finalists that some ought to make their way to the inner-15 finalist circle between 2019-2023:

• Steve Atwater, S – 1989-1998 Denver Broncos, 1999 New York Jets | (Times as a Semifinalist: 7 – 2012-18)
• Ronde Barber, CB/S – 1997-2012 Tampa Bay Buccaneers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2018)
• LeRoy Butler, S – 1990-2001 Green Bay Packers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2018)
• Don Coryell, Coach – 1973-77 St. Louis Cardinals, 1978-1986 San Diego Chargers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 10 – 2005, 2010-18)
• Roger Craig, RB – 1983-1990 San Francisco 49ers, 1991 Los Angeles Raiders, 1992-93 Minnesota Vikings | (Times as a Semifinalist: 10 – 2009-18)
• Torry Holt, WR – 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2015-18)
• Steve Hutchinson, G – 2001-05 Seattle Seahawks, 2006-2011 Minnesota Vikings, 2012 Tennessee Titans | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2018)
• Jimmy Johnson, Coach – 1989-1993 Dallas Cowboys, 1996-99 Miami Dolphins | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2014-18)
• Karl Mecklenburg, LB – 1983-1994 Denver Broncos | (Times as a Semifinalist: 7 – 2012-18)
• Leslie O'Neal, DE – 1986, 1988-1995 San Diego Chargers, 1996-1997 St. Louis Rams, 1998-1999 Kansas City Chiefs | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2018)
• Simeon Rice, DE – 1996-2000 Arizona Cardinals, 2001-06 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2007 Denver Broncos, 2007 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2018)
• Richard Seymour, DE/DT – 2001-08 New England Patriots, 2009-2012 Oakland Raiders | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2018)
• Hines Ward, WR – 1998-2011 Pittsburgh Steelers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2017-18)

Now include these guys who are recently retired:

• · Champ Bailey, CB, retired in 2013
• · Ed Reed, S, retired in 2013
• · Tony Gonzalez, TE, retired in 2013
• · Patrick Willis, LB, retired in 2014
• · Troy Polamalu, S, retired in 2014
• · Calvin Johnson, WR, retired in 2015
• · Charles Woodson, CB/S, retired in 2015
• · Jared Allen, DE, retired in 2015
• · Peyton Manning, QB, retired in 2015
• · DeMarcus Ware, DE, retired in 2016
• · Andre Johnson, WR, retired in 2017
• · Tony Romo, QB, retired in 2017
• · Vince Wilfork, DT, retired in 2017
• · Joe Thomas, OT, retired in 2018
• · Adrian Peterson, RB, maybe retiring in 2018?
• · Darrelle Revis, CB, maybe retiring in 2018?
• · Antonio Gates, TE, maybe retiring in 2018?

The HOF traditionally has not been kind to the TE position. Shannon Sharpe retired in 2003 and was inducted in 2011. Ozzie Newsome retired in 1990 and was inducted in 1999. Mike Ditka retired in 1972 and he got in in 1988 which the '85 Bears team may have influenced some thinking there. John Mackey, the guy who is named after the award for the top college tight end, retired in 1972 and got the call in 1992!

This is not a bash fest on Witten, his sustained excellent is hall worthy. But will he get in first ballot ahead of a lot of greats who have been waiting and other greats who will become eligible? I don't know if he gets to cut in line.

For the record, I'm a big Bears fan and even I was surprised Urlacher made it in on the first try.

[22emmittzone]

A lot of great guys worthy of getting in and have been waiting. I think Witten gets in simply because he is 4th in all time receptions among anyone who catches a ball. Perhaps we review this thread again in 5 years.