Jason Witten signing 1-day contract with Cowboys to retire

Jason Witten is retiring from the NFL and intends to sign a one-day contract with the Dallas Cowboys to depart as a member of the organization, the longtime tight end told ESPN's Todd Archer.

Witten first retired in April 2018 and spent the year on ESPN's "Monday Night Football" broadcast. The 38-year-old returned to the Cowboys in 2019 and inked a one-year contract to play his 17th and final season with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020.

"A coach once told me, 'The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example,'" Witten said. "As I hang it up, I walk away knowing that for 17 seasons I gave it my absolute all. I am proud of my accomplishments as a football player on the field and the example I tried to set off of it.

"Football is a great game that has taught me many valuable lessons, and I look forward to passing on that knowledge to the next generation."

Witten retires as the league's all-time leader in games played at tight end with 271. He also ranks second at the position with 1,228 career receptions and 13,046 receiving yards.

The future Hall-of-Famer enjoyed a remarkable career in Dallas, including earning 11 Pro Bowls, two All-Pro selections, and being named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2012.

Witten caught 13 passes and scored two touchdowns for the Raiders in his final campaign.

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