Witten to retire, join ESPN

Longtime Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten plans to retire and join ESPN as its lead analyst on “Monday Night Football,” the network reported Friday.

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten plans to retire after 15 seasons and join ESPN as its lead analyst for the “Monday Night Football” telecast, the network reported Friday.

Witten met with owner and general manager Jerry Jones, who said no announcement was coming Friday. Jones said he had several conversations with Witten this week and indicated the franchise leader in games, catches and yards receiving hadn’t made a final decision.

“He has some things to think about and discuss with his family from a professional perspective,” Jones said before the introductory news conference for first-round pick Leighton Vander Esch.

“He also told me those things are going to require a few more days of consideration, at least through the weekend. He has not made any decisions that are definite at this time.”

If Witten leaves Dallas, it’s the second straight year that a Cowboys star is retiring to go into broadcasting. Former quarterback Tony Romo became the lead analyst for CBS last season.

Source: Antonio Gates not returning to Chargers

Tight end Antonio Gates will not return for a 16th season with the Los Angeles Chargers, a person with knowledge of the decision tells The Associated Press.

Gates has spent his entire career with the Chargers, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He went on to catch 927 passes for 11,508 yards and 114 touchdowns, an NFL scoring record for a tight end.

Gates’ role in the Chargers’ offense declined steadily over the past three seasons. He caught just 30 passes last year, his lowest total since his rookie season.

49ers trade OT Brown to Patriots for pick

The San Francisco 49ers have traded right tackle Trent Brown to the New England Patriots a day after drafting Mike McGlinchey as his replacement in the first round.

The 49ers dealt Brown and the 143rd overall pick to New England on Friday for the 95th overall pick.

Brown is entering the final year of his contract and San Francisco drafted McGlinchey ninth overall to take his role. Brown, who is coming off shoulder surgery, is a strong pass protector the Patriots wanted in front of Tom Brady.

The 49ers also announced they signed safety Jaquiski Tartt to a two-year extension through 2020. Tartt, a second-round pick in 2015, has 181 tackles, nine passes defensed, 3½ sacks, two interceptions and one forced fumble in 39 games.

Nunez-Roches signs tender to stay with Chiefs

Defensive end RakeemNunez-Roches signed his restricted free-agent tender with the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday and will make just under $2 million next season.

Nunez-Roches was the Chiefs’ sixth-round pick in 2015, and at one point was waived by the club early in his career. But he has proven to provide valuable depth along the defensive line, an area where Kansas City was thin heading into this offseason.

Nunez-Roches started 11 games and played in every one last season. He has 51 tackles in his career.