Jason Witten wants to coach in the NFL but was not contacted about joining the Cowboys 2025 staff.

Jason Witten, one of the most iconic players in Dallas Cowboys history, has spent years establishing himself as a future Hall of Famer. With his unmatched work ethic, leadership, and football intelligence, Witten was a staple of the Cowboys’ offense for nearly 16 seasons, retiring in 2020 as the franchise’s all-time leader in receptions. However, as with many legendary players, Witten’s desire to stay involved in football has not waned after hanging up his cleats. While he briefly tested the waters as an analyst for ESPN’s Monday Night Football, the coaching ranks have always loomed as a likely next step for Witten, who possesses an innate understanding of the game and a passion for helping the next generation of players.

As the Cowboys prepare for the 2025 season, rumors and reports have surfaced regarding Witten’s desire to join the NFL coaching ranks, specifically with his former team. Despite his interest in returning to the field in a new capacity, however, it appears that the Cowboys, at least for the moment, have not considered him for a role on their coaching staff. This has raised eyebrows and led to significant discussions about why someone like Witten, who embodies everything the Cowboys stand for, hasn’t been contacted about joining the staff.

In this article, we’ll explore Jason Witten’s desire to coach in the NFL, the Cowboys’ current coaching structure, and the complex dynamics at play regarding why Witten has not been approached to join the team’s 2025 coaching staff.

Jason Witten’s Legacy with the Cowboys

Before diving into the coaching question, it’s important to first recognize Jason Witten’s legacy with the Cowboys. Witten is widely regarded as one of the best tight ends to ever play in the NFL, having been drafted by the Cowboys in 2003 and becoming an immediate contributor. Over his illustrious career, Witten caught over 1,000 passes for 12,977 yards and 72 touchdowns, and was selected to 11 Pro Bowls. His ability to block, run routes, and be a reliable option for quarterbacks throughout his career made him invaluable to the Cowboys’ offensive schemes.

Witten was known for his durability, missing only one game during his 16-year career. His leadership both on and off the field helped shape the Cowboys’ culture, and his reputation as one of the hardest-working players in the league only added to his value to the team. The nickname “Mr. Reliable” was a fitting moniker for a player who consistently delivered year after year. Beyond statistics, Witten was seen as a mentor to younger players, offering guidance to the likes of Tony Romo, Dak Prescott, and Ezekiel Elliott during their formative years in the league.

After retiring from playing in 2020, Witten immediately transitioned into a broadcasting role with ESPN. He worked as an analyst for Monday Night Football but eventually decided to step away from the booth in favor of coaching, a role that many had anticipated he would pursue given his love for the game and his background as a teacher of football.

Witten’s Desire to Transition to Coaching

Jason Witten has always expressed a strong interest in staying involved with football in a coaching capacity. Following his time with ESPN, he took a significant step toward that goal by briefly joining the Las Vegas Raiders as a special assistant to head coach Jon Gruden in 2021. His time with the Raiders gave him a first-hand look at the inner workings of an NFL coaching staff. Witten worked closely with the Raiders’ tight ends, helping young players develop their skills and offering insights into the game that only a player of his caliber could provide.

However, Witten’s time with the Raiders was short-lived, and he soon began to focus on his long-term goal of becoming a head coach or coordinator. During various interviews and public appearances, Witten made it clear that he was not done with football. He wanted to contribute in a new way, by using his vast knowledge of the game and leadership skills to help guide the next generation of players.

“I have a passion for teaching the game,” Witten said in an interview. “I feel like I have a lot to offer as a coach, and I’m excited to see where that can take me. Coaching is the next logical step for me, and I want to be a part of helping teams win and helping young players grow.”

In the years since his brief stint with the Raiders, Witten’s name has continued to circulate in coaching discussions. Whether it’s coaching tight ends, serving as a positional assistant, or moving up the ranks to a coordinator role, many fans and pundits alike have speculated that Witten would be a perfect fit for a Cowboys coaching staff, especially given his deep ties to the franchise.

The Cowboys’ Current Coaching Staff and Structure

The Dallas Cowboys currently have a strong coaching staff, led by Mike McCarthy, who serves as the team’s head coach. McCarthy, who joined the Cowboys in 2020, has led the team to consistent playoff appearances but has yet to bring the Cowboys to the NFC Championship Game or a Super Bowl. Under McCarthy’s leadership, the team has built a dynamic offense, with Dak Prescott leading the charge, and a defense that consistently ranks among the top in the league, spearheaded by Dan Quinn.

The Cowboys’ offensive coaching staff is led by Kellen Moore, who served as the team’s offensive coordinator from 2019 to 2023 before taking the same position with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024. As of 2025, the Cowboys will need to fill the role of offensive coordinator after Moore’s departure. This is a pivotal position, as the Cowboys’ offense, while talented, has faced criticism for its inconsistency in big games, particularly in the playoffs. The coaching staff has also been under pressure to find the right balance between maximizing Prescott’s potential and exploiting the strengths of the team’s offensive weapons.

On defense, Dan Quinn has done a remarkable job as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator. His ability to turn the Cowboys’ defense into a top-tier unit, led by rising star Micah Parsons, has made him one of the most respected coordinators in the NFL. Under Quinn’s leadership, the defense has improved dramatically, and it is widely considered one of the best in the league.

The Cowboys’ tight ends, however, have seen less stability in terms of coaching. Historically, the team has had a strong tradition of tight end play, with Witten leading the way for so many years. But since Witten’s departure in 2020, the Cowboys have struggled to find a consistent presence at the position. Dalton Schultz had a productive tenure with the team, but he departed in free agency for the Houston Texans in 2024. With the tight end position once again in flux, many have speculated that Witten’s return as a coach, particularly for the tight ends, could be a logical and beneficial move for the franchise.

Why Jason Witten Hasn’t Been Contacted by the Cowboys

Despite his clear desire to coach and his deep ties to the franchise, Jason Witten has not been contacted about joining the Cowboys’ coaching staff for 2025. This has left many fans and analysts puzzled, especially considering Witten’s extensive knowledge of the game, his leadership experience, and his familiarity with the Cowboys’ culture. So, why hasn’t Witten been given a call?

1. Existing Coaching Staff Structure

One possible reason is that the Cowboys already have a well-established coaching staff in place. Head coach Mike McCarthy has largely operated with a sense of continuity since taking the job, and the Cowboys have been relatively successful during his tenure. While McCarthy has faced criticism for his playcalling at times, the staff, as a whole, has worked well together. Adding a new voice or position coach in the midst of a successful coaching staff may not have been seen as a priority.

Additionally, the Cowboys have a tight ends coach in Lunda Wells, who has been with the team since 2018. Wells is well-respected in the NFL and has worked with players like Blake Jarwin, Dalton Schultz, and other tight ends in Dallas. The decision to hire Witten might have been viewed as unnecessary if the team felt that Wells was already providing the right level of coaching and development for the position.

2. Witten’s Experience in Coaching

Another potential reason could be the Cowboys’ hesitation to bring in someone without direct, sustained coaching experience at the NFL level. While Witten is undoubtedly one of the smartest and most respected players to ever wear a Cowboys uniform, he has limited experience as a coach. His brief stint with the Las Vegas Raiders as a special assistant did not fully immerse him in the day-to-day responsibilities of coaching. The Cowboys may have wanted to see more from Witten in a coaching capacity before offering him a significant role on the staff.

3. Cowboys’ Focus on Youth and Innovation

The Cowboys, like many NFL teams, are focused on evolving with the times. The NFL is increasingly turning to younger, innovative coaches, particularly in offensive roles, and the Cowboys have followed this trend. The hiring of Kellen Moore as offensive coordinator, for example, was part of a broader move toward integrating fresh ideas and embracing a more pass-heavy, up-tempo offense. Given this trend, the Cowboys might be more inclined to hire a coach with a more modern, cutting-edge background or someone with specific experience in the areas they need to improve.

 Will Witten Ever Coach the Cowboys?

While Jason Witten’s absence from the Cowboys’ 2025 coaching staff

is somewhat surprising, it’s important to remember that his desire to coach isn’t going anywhere. Whether it’s with the Cowboys or another NFL team, Witten will likely find his way onto a coaching staff eventually. The question remains whether that opportunity will come with the Cowboys, the team that helped define his legacy.

If Witten continues to pursue his coaching career, it’s possible that the Cowboys may eventually recognize the value he can bring to their staff. His deep knowledge of the game, his leadership abilities, and his ties to the franchise are all factors that make him an intriguing candidate for coaching. However, with the Cowboys currently focused on building their team with continuity and innovation, it remains to be seen when, or if, Witten will get the chance to return to Dallas in a coaching capacity.

For now, fans of the Cowboys can only hope that Jason Witten’s path eventually leads back to the franchise that he helped elevate to greatness—this time, as a coach.