Jason Witten talks Jason Garrett, tight ends, broadcasting and more

The Landry Hat had an opportunity to interview former Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten recently. Here’s what the future Hall of Famer had to say.

Legendary tight end Jason Witten spent the last 15 years as a member of the Dallas Cowboys. But in May, Witten up and retired three days before his 36th birthday. Now, he’ll be making his regular season debut as the new color analyst on Monday Night Football.

We had an opportunity to interview Witten before his first broadcast Monday night. We talked about that state of the modern tight end in the league, his broadcasting career, retirement, Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett, and much more. Enjoy!

Can you tell us about the state of the modern tight end in the NFL and why it seems harder and harder to find complete players at the position?

JW: Look, I think the tight end position … as we enter this season, it’s at a higher level as far as the players and how their performing than it’s probably ever been. When I came in the league, there was one, two, three tight ends that were complete mismatches. I think of Tony Gonzalez, Shannon Sharpe, and those types.

And now that top caliber of player at the tight end position is as high as it’s ever been. I think the mismatches that it presents, the big targets, reliable. When you have these pass rushers like you do, it gives a safety valve. It’s just a matchup nightmare for defenses to have to deal with tight ends.

But to answer your question I think … look, it’s a hard position to play. Probably, outside of the quarterback position, more is asked of the tight end than any other position. You have to be good in the run game, a lot of colleges are in the spread now.

So when you come into the NFL, you’re probably not up to speed as a blocker that the teams expect you to be in a pro-style system. And then just learning the offense with blitzes and how you have to adjust your routes … it’s tough to find those players. I think there’s a good batch in the NFL right now. Probably as good as it’s ever been as far as the tight end position goes.