Odds Heavily Against Jason Witten Returning to Dallas Cowboys

Updated: September 5, 2025

• Odds are against retired Cowboys' TE Jason Witten re-joining the team for Week 1 of the 2019 regular season
• Could Witten leave the broadcast booth?
• Is there any value in betting Witten to come out of retirement?

With the Dallas Cowboys suddenly rejuvenated and now positioned as favorites to win the NFC East, reports from ESPN are that Head Coach Jason Garrett reached out to the now retired and current MNF broadcaster Jason Witten about coming out of the booth to join Dallas for a final playoff push.

Odds Jason Witten Is A Cowboy in Week 1 of 2019

Do The Cowboys Need Witten?

After WR Amari Cooper was added at the trade deadline, the Cowboys' offense has been vastly improved.Cooper's arrival had an immediate impact, boosting the Cowboys' offensive options. With his abilities, the team saw a notable increase in yardage per game. His performance against top defenses demonstrated his worth as a key asset for Dallas, making defenses pay more attention to the wideout position.

Dallas is riding a five-game winning streak which has suddenly catapulted them into the playoff discussion. A discussion they were so far out of prior to the trade for Cooper when they were 3-4.

Adding Cooper has completely opened up the Cowboys' offense and adding another reliable target in Witten can only help.

Jason Garrett recently tried to convince Jason Witten to come out of retirement and help Cowboys:https://t.co/y2gkPVUBCT

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 9, 2018

Over his 15-year career, all with Dallas, Witten amassed 12,448 receiving yards and 68 TDs. Last year he totaled 560 yards and five TDs.

Compare that to this year's Cowboys TEs who have combined for 498 yards and one TD between the four of them so far.

Geoff Swaim had been the most productive with 242 yards and that lone TD. But his high-mark was only 25 yards in his last four games before suffering a broken a wrist.

Just now on @GolicAndWingo: Jason Witten's response to report the #DallasCowboys reached out about a potential return to the field… #CowboysNation pic.twitter.com/afCbNa9XJB

— Joey Hayden (@_joeyhayden) December 10, 2018

Dallas has been so devoid of reliable pass catchers that RB Ezekiel Elliott leads the team in targets and catches. After Cole Beasley with 50 and Cooper with 40, the team's next closest receiver only has 27 catches.

Witten joining the team for one last hurrah would have to be seen as a positive, especially should anything happen to Cooper from an injury standpoint.

Jason Witten stepped into the broadcasting world with Monday Night Football after retiring. His debut drew mixed reviews, with some praising his insights, while others found his delivery lacking. Despite the criticism, Witten has shown a commitment to improving his on-air presence. This new role marked a significant shift from the field to the booth, proving his ability to adapt to life after football.

Would Witten Leave The Booth?

Right now Witten seems to be committed to his new career path as a broadcaster. Now it's a career many may wish he'd give up on as he's received many negative reviews thus far, but he seems committed nonetheless.

This.. Monday Night Football Broadcast crew is the worst.
Jason Witten and Booger McFarland are totally unlistenable.
So bad I switched to ESPN DEPORTES, even though I don't understand Spanish. . #MNF #WASvsPHI ?

— Chuck Douglas (@ChuckDouglas_) December 4, 2018

Both Jason Garrett and Cowboys' owner Jerry Jones have also denied the team has reached out Witten. Jones commented that Witten has moved on in his career.

“That's just not correct, period,” Jones said. “He misses competing but he's got his head down and hands in the dirt, doing the job on Monday Night Football.”

Bet On More Witten…Somewhere, Just Not On The Field

Witten is 36 years old right now and would be 37 by the time next season starts.

Before stepping away from the game, Witten had long been a fixture in the Cowboys' lineup. He consistently showed loyalty to the team, often stating his love for the game. The decision to retire was not taken lightly, as he weighed his future playing prospects with a desire for new challenges.

If the lure of an almost certain playoff position and a run at the Super Bowl this season doesn't do it for him now, it's hard to see that changing next season.

Jason Witten turned down an offer from Jerry Jones to come out of retirement for the Cowboys recently, which would have been great news for MNF viewershttps://t.co/VfJndpiNZS

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 10, 2018

Keep in the mind the bet is not “to play at any time next season” but rather Week 1.

That means he'd likely have to partake in OTAs, training camp and endure the rigors of an entire season. Stranger things have happened but I'll have to side with the NO.

Comparison with Other Retired Players Returning

Other NFL players, like Brett Favre and Marshawn Lynch, have made successful returns to the league after retirement. Favre came back with solid performances, while Lynch reignited his career with the Seahawks. These cases show that a return can work, but the situations and motivations vary widely, affecting whether the return leads to success on the field.

The post Odds Heavily Against Jason Witten Returning to Dallas Cowboys appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.

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