To put it mildly – 2020 has been a strange year. The strangeness of the start of this new decade did not leave the NFL unmanned by its bizarreness, as there have been a number of veterans who deviate from the organizations with which they are most recognized. While most will look to Tom Brady or Philip Rivers in their new Bucs and Colts uniforms, respectively, Jason Witten is right there with them after signing with the Las Vegas Raiders.
“You play 16 years and you think you saw it all and then 2020 happens,” Witten said told reporters during a video conference on Monday, acknowledging that his move from Dallas to the Raiders is a bit strange.
The Cowboys have been the only organization that Witten, who rejoined the club after a short one-year retirement, has known through his 16 years in the NFL and is where he rose to stardom as one of the top tight ends of the league. Because of everything he has done in a Dallas uniform, it will take a while for Witten to sport the black and silver look, but chances are it will never be completely normal.
The 38-year-old admitted that there were talks of potentially returning to the Cowboys for the 2020 season, but although these fell through, he is now excited for his next chance.
“I think if you have a coaching change and a new program is being built, that’s part of this business,” Witten said of his departure from Dallas. “Of course 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 to get here as well. I am strengthened by this challenge and where I am in my career. Like I said, it made a lot of sense out of the fit and role and presence I could have. I did not really exaggerate it. Just a great opportunity to get in there and compete. I’m very happy for that. I will challenge myself to play at a high level, even where my age is. It has been a lot of fun for me. “
Witten really claims that being “fit” with the Raiders is what really drew him to the organization. When specifically asked what his role with the club will be, he pointed out that he was a veteran in the tight end room and eventually evolved into some solid on-field production. That would suggest that Witten embraces the idea of taking a backseat to Darren Waller, who started all 16 games for the Raiders last season and received a total of 1,145 yards, and was a mentor to the 27-year-old.
For the Cowboys last season, Witten played in 75% of the offensive snaps and caught 63 passes for 529 yards and four touchdowns, so he clearly still has some game in the tank to supply the Raiders. However, the nearly two decades of experience will be massive for Waller’s development.
Meanwhile, they will likely hand over the giant in Dallas to Blake Jarwin, who signed them offseason to a three-year extension this offseason, to take over for Witten at the start near end and add some of the veterans’ 83 goals last season to his 41 of 2019.
