Jason Witten is an 11-time Pro Bowler, has 12,448 career receiving yards and is likely to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame at some point. Save for winning a Super Bowl - which, of course, isn't guaranteed - there's not much the 37-year-old has to gain by returning to the NFL after a year long retirement.
But Witten isn't looking at his return to the Dallas Cowboys like that. It's not about checking off another box or reaching another milestone. From his perspective, he's still physically capable of playing, and there's nothing that makes him happier than playing football.
"I was so appreciative of that opportunity [his year calling Monday Night Football on ESPN], but it doesn't even compare [to the feeling of waking up on gameday]," Witten said on The Peter King Podcast. "Sunday morning, in the meadowlands, waking up, I've never been more alive in my life. And, for those three hours, there's not a better feeling in my life - and there won't be - than that emotion and the energy and the mental focus and the clarity and being driven like that."
The opportunity Witten was referring to was his chance to be the color commentator on ESPN's coverage of Monday Night Football alongside Joe Tessitore and Booger McFarland during the 2018 season. Witten says that he believes if he hadn't decided to end his retirement, he would have had the chance to return to ESPN for a second season. That checks out, because it was reported in December of 2018 that the crew would return for a second season together. But Witten admitted that he didn't get the amount of joy out of calling games that he expected to.
"From minute one, I thought that after I called a game, I said 'Man, I thought I would enjoy calling a game a little more than I probably did.' I thought I would enjoy that part of it. I didn't have the fulfillment that I thought I probably would."
Part of Witten's lack of fulfillment may have been that he thought he could still be playing. He mentioned two former Cowboys that have gone on to become broadcasting stars - Troy Aikman and Tony Romo. The difference between Witten and those two is that Witten walked away because he got the opportunity to join the Monday Night Football team. Aikman and Romo walked away because of injuries, and got the chance to call games because television executives could sense they had to walk away.
Beyond that, though, Witten didn't get the rave reviews that Romo, his long-time Cowboys teammate, did. Almost immediately, Romo because a broadcasting superstar alongside Jim Nantz on CBS' nationally telecasted games. Witten essentially replaced Jon Gruden, and was almost universally panned for the job that he did as an announcer.
"My words got put to task," Witten joked. "I was thrown into the fire in a hurry . And you know what was tough about it Peter? You would finish a game, and the interesting part is that you would have texts from friends, loved ones, family and it was like [in response to them] 'We didn't die, guys. Everything is going to be OK.' And that's [the thing] - it affects everybody else that you come in contact with because they are reading it and they want to encourage you."
Fair or unfair, Witten's lone season in the Monday Night Football booth will likely go down in broadcasting infamy. It speaks to how difficult broadcasting is, because in just a regular interview setting, Witten comes off as articulate and genuine. That alone doesn't guarantee success in the booth, though.
In his first preseason back, Witten has flown under the radar in Dallas. Running back Ezekiel Elliott is holding out. Quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver Amari Cooper are entering the final seasons of their respective contracts. Linebacker Jaylon Smith was extended Tuesday.
But Witten, who is entering his 16th NFL season, is confident that when the dust settles, he's still going to be a very effective weapon for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
"Yeah. I’m gonna be really good," Witten said. So many times, when you come back … What’s your role? … Listen: I’m not gonna get caught up in the roadkill of that. I think I’m gonna be really good. I’ve worked hard. My expectations have always been more than anybody’s put on me. Will I catch 100 passes? Probably not. Can I help this team win football games? I believe so. That’s the ultimate challenge. I gotta show that. This young team, it’s a talented roster. The impact you can have on a daily basis … every day I’m thinking, How can I make them [teammates] better through my personal experiences? It’s a show-me game. I was taught that early on, as a 21-year-old kid, green as can be, coming into Dallas. You better be able to show it. I’ll live with the results, because I know what I’m all about.”