Jason Witten returns to the Dallas Cowboys: A dream come true

The Dallas Cowboys will have their future Hall of Fame tight end Jason Witten back on the field in 2019. Here’s why this is a dream come true for America’s Team.

For fans first seeing the news, it must seem like waking up to some sort of dream. The Dallas Cowboys no longer have a looming need at the tight end position. After more than a year away from the game while being in the booth for Monday Night Football, soon-to-be 37-year old tight end Jason Witten has decided to return to the playing field for the Cowboys in 2019.

Whispers about a possible Witten retirement started to become more audible during last year’s NFL draft. Then there was word that the 15-year veteran was mulling over an offer from ESPN to become a color commentator. Seemingly as a result, Dallas elected to use a fourth-round selection on Stanford tight end Dalton Schultz.

Witten would officially hang up his cleats in May and was given a sendoff worthy of the legendary player he was. For Dallas, the team was left with little to no options for filling the massive crater on the roster left by the 11-time Pro Bowler. The Cowboys did their best to do so with a combination of young and very inexperienced players. Geoff Swaim and Blake Jarwin being the most prominent, with the rookie Schultz and former basketball star Rico Gathers still developing.

As a nine-game starter, Swaim did an admirable job filling-in for Witten. The former seventh-rounder racked up 26 receptions for 242 yards and his first career touchdown in nine games. Unfortunately, a broken wrist ended Swaim’s season early and now the former seventh rounder is scheduled to become a free agent next month.

Jarwin had more success as the season wore on. He posted an impressive three-touchdown game against the New York Giants in Week 17. But the undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma State still needs to develop as a blocker.

So what does Witten’s return mean for the current Cowboys? For one, this is no longer an immediate need to address the position. The presence of Witten will allow Jarwin, Schultz and Gathers more time to develop. That’s if Dallas chooses to keep them all. Drafting for the position is still not out of the question.

As for on-field production, Witten should still be able to provide quality snaps as a blocker. And although he’ll like be the slowest offensive skill player on the field, Witten is still a savvy route runner who can think and feel his way open.

Witten should be a bit of a security blanket for quarterback Dak Prescott, who will likely be without longtime slot receiver Cole Beasley this upcoming season as he’s a free agent. Witten’s play should also benefit from the presence of wide receiver Amari Cooper on the outside.

Finally, the biggest boost Jason Witten might give the Dallas Cowboys is off-the-field. A consignment professional, Witten’s relentless work ethic combined with a coach’s intellect make him the perfect role model for one of the youngest rosters in the NFL. Witten being back on America’s Team is like something out of a dream. One that many surely hope ends with the future Hall of Famer hoisting a Lombardi Trophy.