Jerry Jones says a Jason Witten return to Dallas Cowboys rests on these things
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten plans to play in the NFL in 2020.
But whether he returns to the Cowboys, the only team he has ever known, for a 17th season is still undecided. And he is open to moving on if he must.
Witten, 37, has talked at length with new coach Mike McCarthy but no decision has been made.
“We’ll see how it shakes out,” McCarthy said this week at the NFL scouting combine.
If it was up to owner Jerry Jones, there would be nothing to decide.
“I feel strongly he wants to play and I think he can play,” Jones said. “I would hope that he would not ever be anything but a Cowboy. It’s meaningful. He’s in the tops right there. I do think he can play. As I sit here right now I think he can make a real contribution to the Cowboys.”
Witten, who was in for 845 plays and 75 percent of the offensive snaps, caught 63 passes for 529 yards and four touchdowns in 2019.
But he was seen by some as a progress stopper to emerging tight end Blake Jarwin, who is expected to have a bigger role in the passing game in 2020. Jarwin caught 31 passes for 365 yards and three touchdowns last season as a backup to Witten. Jarwin got 434 totals snaps, 36 percent of the offensive plays.
Can Witten return as role player behind Jarwin and whatever else that entails as a backup on McCarthy’s squad if he is on the team in 2020?
According to Jones, that’s on Witten to decide.
“I’d say Jason feels like the holdup is one way or another Jason being comfortable with the fit,” Jones said. “Jason being comfortable with the fit.”
And his role?
“Yes,” Jones replied.
This story was originally published February 28, 2020 at 11:46 AM.
