Cowboys’ Witten to retire, become analyst for ‘MNF’

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

Witten met with team 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 had not made a final decision.

“He has some things to think about and discuss with his family from a professional perspective,” Jones said. “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, 35, does leave, it will be the second consecutive year that a Cowboys star is retiring to go into broadcasting. Former quarterback Tony Romo became the lead analyst for CBS last season.

Witten, a third-round pick out of Tennessee in 2003, has 1,152 catches for 12,448 yards and 68 touchdowns. He and Tony Gonzalez are the only tight ends with at least 1,000 catches and 10,000 yards.

In other pro football news:

• Tight end Antonio Gates will not return for a 16th season with the Los Angeles Chargers, a person with knowledge of the decision told the Associated Press. Gates, 37, has spent his entire career with the Chargers, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He went on to become the top receiver in franchise history, catching 927 passes for 11,508 yards and 114 touchdowns — the NFL scoring record for a tight end. Gates ranks third in career receptions by a tight end behind Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten.