A salary of between $4-4.5M for a multiyear deal from ESPN proved too much for Witten to turn downGETTY IMAGES
Jason Witten is officially retiring from the Cowboys and "joining ESPN as an analyst" for "MNF" after he "wrestled with the decision for the past week," according to sources cited by Todd Archer of ESPN.com. A source said that another network "made what was termed an 'interesting' offer that would allow him to keep playing and potentially walk away" in '19. A source said that Cowboys coach Jason Garrett and other staff members also "actively attempted to persuade" Witten to keep playing. Witten's "return to AT&T Stadium in his new job is set for Nov. 5," when the Cowboys host the Titans (ESPN.com, 5/3). In Dallas, Brandon George notes just four months ago, Witten "vowed he'd return for a 16th season and until recently had planned to suit up again to make another run at a Super Bowl." But sources said that the "status of the 'MNF' job and a salary of between" $4-4.5M for a multiyear deal "proved too much to turn down" (DALLASNEWS.com, 5/3).
THREE'S COMPANY? PFT's Mike Florio said he would not "rule out a third person" in the "MNF" booth alongside Witten and play-by-play man Joe Tessitore. NBCSN's Chris Simms also said a three-person booth "would make sense" ("PFT," NBCSN, 5/3). ESPN's Jon "Stugotz" Weiner said he does not "think there's enough people in the booth," and there is "not anyone ... that represents the way fans watch a football game" ("Golic & Wingo," ESPN Radio, 5/3).
COACH SPEAK: CBS Sports formally announced retired Cardinals coach Bruce Arians will join the net as a game analyst for the upcoming NFL season. He will team with Greg Gumbel and Trent Green to form a three-man booth, along with reporter Jamie Erdahl (CBS Sports).
