Jason Garrett is looking forward to Jason Witten rejoining the Cowboys as he still has "meat on the bone" in his career. (0:51) INDIANAPOLIS -- Jason Witten is returning to the Dallas Cowboys, the team announced Thursday. Witten is leaving ESPN's Monday Night Football and returning to the playing field less than a year after announcing his retirement. Sources told ESPN that the tight end is getting a one-year deal worth $3.5 million that can max out at $5 million, including roster bonuses and incentives. Witten has played in 11 Pro Bowls during his 15 years with the Cowboys, becoming the franchise leader with 1,152 receptions, which ranks fourth in NFL history, and 12,448 receiving yards. He also holds franchise records for games played (239), consecutive games (236), starts (229) and consecutive starts (179). In returning, he also will have the longest service time with the organization at 16 years. "The fire inside of me to compete and play this game is just burning too strong," Witten, who will turn 37 in May, said in a statement. "This team has a great group of rising young stars, and I want to help them make a run at a championship. This was completely my decision, and I am very comfortable with it. I'm looking forward to getting back in the dirt." According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, there are some in the Cowboys' organization who have long considered Witten as an NFL head-coaching candidate -- and this move could help serve as the bridge to his coaching career. Before joining ESPN in May, Witten went back and forth on a decision to leave the game until ultimately signing a four-year deal with the network. There were some rough patches during his first year as an analyst, which he acknowledged, but he felt there was growth as well. "I've known for about 10 to 14 days that he was seriously deliberating this," Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones told ESPN's Chris Mortensen on Thursday. "As you know, when Jason retired last year, he had a real difficult decision. He obviously missed it. I've never seen anybody really embrace the physical part of football like Jason. He missed that. The rougher it is, the better. "We're happy to have him. We think he can still play, and he thinks he can still play." Jones said he expects Witten to be more than a "situational player" for the Cowboys in 2019. "I think he'll play more than that," Jones said. "This is a big thing to him. He wants to be out there, and he will be out there this year." There were discussions about Witten's potential return to the playing field during last season, but he remained in the booth. "We thank Jason for his many contributions to Monday Night Football and to ESPN over the past year and wish him continued success," ESPN said in a statement. "We have seen many former coaches and players go into broadcasting before eventually returning to the game they love, so we understand Jason's desire to return to the Dallas Cowboys." In the statement, ESPN said it would determine next season's plans for Monday Night Football in the coming weeks. Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki, another longtime Dallas athlete, was among those welcoming Witten back on social media. Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said he was excited about Witten's return. "I know he thought about the decision to go do Monday Night Football. He thought about it long and hard. It was a very heart-felt decision," Garrett told reporters Thursday. "I don't think it was an easy decision for him. It was such a great opportunity. ... But in the long conversations we had before he made that decision, I knew he still loved to play football. There is no question in my mind he can still play at a high level. "When he was away from it, he continued to realize that and understand that. He just decided to make this decision because he still loves the game and wanted to be a part of it." When he presented the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award to Wisconsin's D'Cota Dixon on Feb. 12, Witten was asked if he would return to the field and said, "I don't think we're going to. ... I don't know where that is." But he acknowledged he "missed the heck out of playing." "Look, every day I was a part of the Cowboys, and even before that, I loved the game of football. I loved the process of it," Witten said. "I loved March. I loved training camp. I loved getting better and adversity and going through it with [the] guys, that shared commitment part of it. Nothing can replace that feeling, and I knew that." When he retired after the 2017 season, Jason Witten and his family were presented with a football covered in diamonds as a farewell gift from Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys His decision to return, according to sources, stemmed from his feeling that he had more to give as a player rather than any unhappiness with television. It also resets the clock for a possible selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 2017, Witten caught 63 passes for 560 yards and five touchdowns and was added to the Pro Bowl as a first alternate. Constant Cowboy Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten ranks fifth in receiving yards -- and first among tight ends -- for a player who spent his entire career with one team. Player Rec. Yds. Team Larry Fitzgerald 16,279 Cardinals Marvin Harrison 14,580 Colts Reggie Wayne 13,345 Colts Steve Largent 13,089 Seahawks Jason Witten 12,448 Cowboys Witten played almost every snap for most of his career, but he returns knowing he will be in a different role in 2019, serving as a mentor. Without Witten, Cowboys tight ends ranked 20th in the NFL last season for receiving yards (710) and touchdowns (4). The Cowboys drafted Dalton Schultz in the fourth round last year and saw him start seven games after Geoff Swaim went down with a broken wrist. Blake Jarwin led the Cowboys' tight ends with 27 catches in 2018 for 307 yards and three touchdowns. While Swaim is set to be an unrestricted free agent, the Cowboys also have Rico Gathers under contract and could look to the draft for a long-term answer at the position. Witten's return also provides a security blanket for Dak Prescott, who ranks third among NFL quarterbacks with a 73.7 completion percentage to tight ends over the past three seasons. Prescott also was sacked 56 times last season, the second most in the league. "Wow, that is surprising, but 'Wit' is a good leader," defensive end Taco Charlton told ESPN's Josina Anderson when notified of Witten's return. "I enjoyed being around him. He is dependable ... and I know our team will be happy to have him back." Witten has remained in decent shape, if not football shape. He regularly was named one of the team's top performers in the offseason program, and those around Witten believe he can regain his strength rather quickly. "I just think he's a football player," Pro Bowl guard Zack Martin said. "I can't speak for him, but when you're still around football and not playing, I'm sure he wondered about [playing]. He's the ultimate competitor. If he felt he had something left in him to play, he was going to do everything he could to get the most out of it."<doc-sep>In the most surprising bit of news this NFL offseason, the Dallas Cowboys have announced that tight end Jason Witten is ending his retirement and is returning to the team. “The fire inside of me to compete and play this game is just burning too strong,” Witten said in a statement. “This team has a great group of rising young stars, and I want to help them make a run at a championship. This was completely my decision, and I am very comfortable with it. “I’m looking forward to getting back in the dirt.” After abruptly retiring last year and taking a job in ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” broadcast booth, Jason Witten has just as abruptly decided to return to the game. (AP) Witten abruptly retired last year to sign with ESPN, where he was in the broadcast booth for “Monday Night Football.” Though he was often criticized for his analysis, Witten and the network have said they were committed to keeping him in the role. ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted that it’s a one year, $3.5 million pact, though NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted that it has a maximum value of $5 million with incentives. But Witten may not play the major role he once did: Jean-Jacques Taylor of ESPN Dallas 103.3 tweeted that a source informed him that Witten has agreed to a “limited snap role.” In 2017, Witten played 98.6 percent of the offensive snaps; he won’t play that much this time around, though it’s unclear how much smaller that number will be. In a statement released after the news of Witten’s re-signing with the Cowboys, ESPN said, “We thank Jason for his many contributions to ‘Monday Night Football’ and to ESPN over the past year and wish him continued success. “We have seen many former coaches and players go into broadcasting before eventually returning to the game they love, so we understand Jason’s desire to return to the Dallas Cowboys. In the coming weeks we will determine our ‘MNF’ plans for the 2019 season.” A two-time first-team All-Pro, 11-time Pro Bowler and the 2012 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year, Witten is also Dallas’ all-time leader in receptions, with 1,152. Witten will turn 37 in May. More from Yahoo Sports: • The NFL combine’s biggest question is answered • Ole Miss fans trash court after controversial loss • Westbrook lectures kid, requests protection from fans • Haynes: LeBron has a message for the haters<doc-sep>Jerry Jones outlines the importance of having Jason Witten on the Cowboys this year and what his future will be when he is done playing. (1:47) INDIANAPOLIS -- When tight end Jason Witten walked away from football last May, his teammates gave him a long, standing ovation, recognizing a successful 15-year career that placed him among the greatest to play for the Dallas Cowboys. It wasn't just the catches, yards and touchdowns that made Witten great -- it was the example he set in the locker room, at practice and during games. Several of his teammates wrote an open letter to Witten via ESPN.com expressing their gratitude. On Thursday, Witten ended his retirement, agreeing to a one-year deal with the Cowboys that, according to sources, pays him $3.5 million with a possibility of $5 million with roster bonuses and incentives. Best of NFL Nation • Bucs rookie to pay for family's bills • Texans aren't tipping hand with Watson plan • 'Aggressive' drivers part of Wilson's NY tests • Jags' Lawrence has typical rookie QB mistakes • Julio Jones' trade market: Four offers As it was from 2003 through 2017, the excitement regarding Witten's return isn't just about his ability to convert clutch third-down catches, but also for what he means off the field. "When you think of the Dallas Cowboys, you think of him," Cowboys Pro Bowl guard Zack Martin said. "But more than that, it's his preparation, his leadership in the locker room, how he pushes himself every day to a new level." Witten will turn 37 in May. For more than a decade, he played nearly all of the snaps. With his return, the expectation is he will take a reduced role in the offense, serving as a mentor to young tight ends such as Dalton Schultz and Blake Jarwin and maybe even a potential draft pick, although coach Jason Garrett did not want to discuss playing time on Thursday. "Playing football still tugged at his heart. I think he felt there was still some meat on the bone, some things he still wanted to accomplish," Garrett told reporters. "I just think he loves it and wants to be in this environment. There is no doubt in his mind he can still play, and there is no doubt in my mind he can still play. Excited to have him back." In 2017, Witten caught 63 passes for 560 yards and 5 touchdowns. He was added to the Pro Bowl as the first alternate, which meant he was viewed by his NFC peers as the third-best tight end in the conference. Witten will not be asked to ride to the Cowboys' rescue upon his return. As much as the Cowboys' decision to go with a receiver-by-committee approach to replace Dez Bryant failed and necessitated the trade for Amari Cooper, the committee approach at tight end was solid. Schultz, Jarwin, Geoff Swaim -- who is set to be a free agent -- and Rico Gathers combined for 66 catches for 710 yards and 4 touchdowns last season, roughly the same as Witten by himself. In his first two years as a starter, quarterback Dak Prescott used Witten as a security blanket in tough situations. As Prescott starts his fourth pro season, he once again can look to Witten in those difficult scenarios. Plus, Prescott has completed 73.7 percent of his passes thrown to tight ends in his career, third highest in the NFL in the past three seasons, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Jason Witten, who is rejoining the Cowboys after a one-year retirement, had 63 catches for 560 yards and five touchdowns during his 2017 season with Dallas. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images "[Witten has] been productive anytime he has stepped on a football field," Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee told ESPN. "There's nothing he can't do at that position, and that's why he's a Hall of Fame player." Garrett said his discussions with Witten about a return started a few weeks ago. Witten stepped up his workouts to test how his body felt. He wanted to make sure his desire to play matched the physical ability to play. Witten missed just one game in his career, in his rookie season. He holds franchise records for games played (239), consecutive games (236) and consecutive starts (179). He also rarely missed practices, taking days off during training camp only late in his career at the demand of the coaching staff. He earned awards every year for his work in the offseason program given by the strength and conditioning coaches. "He knows his body more than anyone else. He knows the demands of the game more than anybody to make an honest assessment of where he was physically," Garrett said. "He was able to do that over the last few weeks. I think he felt good about it. We certainly feel great about having him come back to the team." Witten's work ethic rubbed off on players throughout the locker room. If he was going to put in the work, they were going to put in the work. That's why there was not a leadership void in his absence in 2018, because Prescott, Lee, Martin, Ezekiel Elliott, Tyrone Crawford and others carried on what he taught them. His teammates are excited to have him back. "He's definitely still going to be 82," Crawford said. "He's probably a little refreshed and ready to roll after taking a year off. I'm sure he's ready to show what he's got."<doc-sep>
Jason Witten will be on "Monday Night Football" again this season -- but not as an announcer. Retirement didn’t even last a year for the Dallas Cowboys star, who is returning to the gridiron a season after hanging up his cleats. The 2019 season will mark his 16th season with the Texas team. The NFL team announced the news on Thursday afternoon. He initially hung up his cleats in May to pursue a career in the broadcast booth of ESPN's “Monday Night Football.” In a statement, the Cowboys said the team had retained Witten’s rights when he was placed on the NFL’s Reserve/Retired List last season. The 11-time Pro Bowl tight end has agreed to a one-year contract. The deal is worth about $5 million. “The fire inside of me to compete and play this game is burning too strong,” Witten said in a statement released by the Cowboys. “This team has a great group of rising young stars, and I want to help them make a run at a championship." He added: "This was completely my decision and I am very comfortable with it. I’m looking forward to getting back in the dirt.” Witten weathered some criticism in his first season with ESPN but kept saying he was committed to improving and sticking with broadcasting. "We thank Jason for his many contributions to "Monday Night Football" and to ESPN over the past year and wish him continued success," the network said in a statement. "We have seen many former coaches and players go into broadcasting before eventually returning to the game they love, so we understand Jason's desire to return to the Dallas Cowboys. In the coming weeks we will determine our MNF plans for the 2019 season." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Witten, 36, retired with 1,152 career receptions, which ranks fourth in NFL history, behind Jerry Rice, Tony Gonzalez and Larry Fitzgerald. He played 239 career games with the Cowboys – a franchise record. Witten and Gonzalez are the only NFL tight ends with at least 1,000 catches and 10,000 yards. Gonzalez was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first try this year. Witten is postponing consideration of his date with Canton. The return of Witten gives quarterback Dak Prescott another run with one of his most trusted targets months after the Cowboys won their first playoff game with the 2016 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and two-time NFL rushing champion Ezekiel Elliott. The Associated Press contributed to this report.