Dallas Cowboys Tight End Jason Witten​ To Retire

DALLAS, TX - After 15 NFL seasons, Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten will retire and become ESPN's lead analyst on Monday Night Football, according to multiple reports.

Witten, an 11-time Pro Bowler, is considered one of the best tight ends in NFL history, with 1,152 catches for 12,448 yards and 68 touchdowns. Witten ranks fourth in all-time receptions, behind only Jerry Rice (1,549), Tony Gonzalez (1,325) and Larry Fitzgerald (1,234), according to NFL.com.

ESPN's Todd Archer was first to report the news. Six days ago, reports surfaced that Witten, 35, was expected to retire and join Monday Night Football. Despite attempts by Cowboys officials to change that decision and have him return for one more season, Witten decided to replace Jon Gruden, now the Oakland Raiders coach, in the Monday Night Football booth.

NFL.com reports that Dallas now has question marks at the tight end position. The team has these tight ends on its roster: Rico Gathers, Blake Jarwin and Geoff Swaim. Only Swaim has an NFL catch -- nine total.

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