Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten just finished his 14th NFL season, and as has been the case each of the past few years, questions have risen about Witten's potential retirement.
Witten acknowledged that question on Monday, saying he plans to put off retirement for at least another year and return to the team:
"Every year when I'm empty at this point, it's just you gave everything you got, and I'll take time to reflect on it. I love this team and this group of guys and so, yeah, that will be the plan for sure," Witten said.
Sunday's loss to the Packers also denied Witten a chance to go to his first career NFC Championship Game, a motivator that helps him want to return to the field next season.
"Yeah, I'm well aware of that," Witten said. "Obviously that's something I realize, regardless of how many catches you have or any of that stuff, your legacy will be remembered as how you play in these certain situations in the playoffs, and that's tough.
"It's tough for me to swallow that. It's not about any one individual. I'm proud of this team. I really have my whole career I've tried to work really hard to not make it about me, and that's why there's emotion that goes along with this.
"I'm in my 14th year, and you know there's a shelf life for everybody. You put everything you have into it, and when you come up short it's tough. It's not about a paycheck. It's about an opportunity to compete and lead and win and play in these types of games. This team had a special feel all the way through, and to come up short like that for me is hard."
Witten caught 69 passes for 673 yards and three touchdowns this season.
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