Jason Witten reveals why he chose to sign with the Raiders

Veteran tight end Jason Witten spent his entire NFL career with the Dallas Cowboys before trying broadcasting for a year and returning for one more season with America’s Team. All signs pointed to Witten retiring with the Cowboys awaiting his inevitable induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

However, Witten’s path has taken an interesting and completely unexpected turn in the twilight of his playing career. He chose to sign with the Las Vegas Raiders giving the team one of the best tight end groups in the NFL headlined by Darren Waller and Witten. The future Hall of Famer talked about his surprising decision to ink a deal with the Raiders, via Pro Football Talk.

Want $250 to bet on NFL futures?

Sign up here!

“Yeah, I mean there was talks of that,” Witten said of a return to the Cowboys during a videoconference Monday. “I mean, I think anytime you have a coaching changes and a new program being built, that’s part of this business. Obviously, I had a great relationship over 16, 17 years there with the Jones family. Very honest and very upfront. Of course, with Mike [McCarthy], look, that’s a talented team. But this was a unique opportunity for me as well to come here. I’m invigorated by this challenge, where I am in my career. It made a lot of sense from the fit and the role and the presence that I could have. I didn’t really overthink it. Just a great opportunity to go in there and compete. I’m very fortunate for that. I’ll challenge myself to play at a high level, even where my age is. It’s been a lot of fun for me.”

Read: Big Ten Expected To Cancel 2020 Football Season

Although the Raiders appear to be a team on the rise with Jon Gruden running the show and the team starting fresh in their new city of Las Vegas with a brand new stadium, it remains uncertain what next season will be like for the storied franchise.

Jason Witten brings a lot to the Raiders even as his playing days are coming to an end sooner rather than later. He’ll provide leadership in the locker room and the ideal mentor for Waller, who could be in the running for the best player in the league at tight end.