Predictions and expectations for Jason Witten in 2019

As we all know, Dallas Cowboys legend Jason Witten will return to football after spending one year with ESPN. Let’s predict what Witten will do in 2019.

In the most shocking news so far this offseason, Jason Witten is back for his 16th season to be the tight end for the Dallas Cowboys. Five days later, the news still shocks me.

In 2017, Witten caught 63 passes for 560 yards and five touchdowns, two more touchdowns then he had in 2016. After a full year out of actually playing football, what can we expect from a 37-year-old who has not had any physical contact since Week 17 in Philadelphia in 2017?

Expectations

First things first, do not expect big numbers from Big Witt. I view his role much differently in 2019 than we are accustomed to seeing in the past. Witten is not getting any younger, and we all know he is the furthest thing from athletic these days.

What I do expect from #82 is what he has always been great at, being the greatest security blanket that the NFL has always seen. Witten has made a hall of fame career of finding open spaces in the zone defense, this will tremendously help quarterback Dak Prescott in the passing game.

Having Witten back will also take away touches from running back Ezekiel Elliott in the passing game, which I personally think is a good thing. I am not saying lets never throw the ball to Zeke anymore, but that consistent dump-off to Elliott we saw time and time again last year, will be minimized in 2019.

Jason Witten will also bring a valuable veteran presence to an extremely young and talented team. With young stars on both sides of the ball, it cannot hurt to bring in one of the most respected players in Cowboys history into the locker room.

Predictions

For 2019, I predict Witten to do what he does, but in a minimal role. I do not think he will be the every down tight-end we saw from 2004-2017. I still think the Cowboys will feature tight-ends Blake Jarwin and Dalton Schultz on a consistent basis week in and week out.

When #82 is in he will find a way to get open, it is just what he does. The speed and athletic ability are lost over time by every football player, but the football IQ is forever.

Witten will also be a real threat in the red zone. The tight end position in the red zone was non-existent for Dallas in 2018, and I think that will change having an experienced veteran playing tightened.

Jason Witten’s 2019 Stats: 51 catches, 445 yards, three touchdowns.

The secret is in the dirt.

Welcome Back, Jason Witten!