News: Jason Witten explains why he went to the Raiders

Kingofholland

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The new coaching staff wanted a change at TE. Coaching was not an option in Dallas for Witten. So he was forced out. Good for him for finding another team, but he should have just retired. Maybe he chose to still play because he knows he has no future in broadcasting... he burned that bridge at MNF.

It didn't sound like the convo with McCarthy went very well. Though it seems McCarthy may have been open to a low level coaching position or competing for a roster spot. Just wasn't of interest to Witten so he decided to move on as he felt he could do more.
 

DFWJC

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https://heavy.com/sports/las-vegas-...sU3muGMtzIVM8-cLfpHPQg2LiRd4bKug0AT07x__PDNKA

Or could it be that Witten knows he has no future in broadcasting and the Raiders were the only team that would take him
I was ready for Jason to move on, but pretty sure most teams would've taken him if the price was right.

The Raiders TE group is way better Dallas'. Yet even they still felt they had room for him.

Definitely sounds like he's mentoring the two young talented guys they have....which is ironic.
 
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CouchCoach

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He did have another job offer, from ESPN. They wanted to put him in the booth next to the announcers for MNF and every now and then show him with this on the bottom of the screen. "Stop your complaining, we could have rehired this guy. Now, all better aren't we"? or this "Yeah, the game is boring but it could be worse".
 

JoeKing

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It didn't sound like the convo with McCarthy went very well. Though it seems McCarthy may have been open to a low level coaching position or competing for a roster spot. Just wasn't of interest to Witten so he decided to move on as he felt he could do more.
The new coaching regime didn't believe he deserved to be given a higher coaching responsibility. McCarthy let it leak that Witten's coaching path in Dallas was to start at the bottom and work his way up. Witten wasn't having that, so he bailed. He waited too long to cash in his "seniority chips" in Dallas.
 

tyke1doe

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I always thought Witten returned to the Cowboys because he thought Dallas had the talent to contend for a Super Bowl, and he wanted in on the deal.
But he realized it was a mirage, and this team really wasn't as close as he thought they were.

I think he signed with the Raiders because they're the only team that would sign him. And maybe Witten made connections with Gruden while at ESPN, and once Witten finishes playing, he'll step into a tight end coaching job.

I wish him well. He is a legend. I don't get all the disrespect for him. If someone is giving me $5 million to catch passes only to gain a yard, heck, I'd do it, especially with a body and skills like Witten.
 

dckid

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dfense

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I always thought Witten returned to the Cowboys because he thought Dallas had the talent to contend for a Super Bowl, and he wanted in on the deal.
But he realized it was a mirage, and this team really wasn't as close as he thought they were.

I think he signed with the Raiders because they're the only team that would sign him. And maybe Witten made connections with Gruden while at ESPN, and once Witten finishes playing, he'll step into a tight end coaching job.

I wish him well. He is a legend. I don't get all the disrespect for him. If someone is giving me $5 million to catch passes only to gain a yard, heck, I'd do it, especially with a body and skills like Witten.
Damn straight. All the basement posters ripping on Witten for accepting more money to hang out on the sideline in the sun for a year than they'll make in their lifetime. lol
 

GimmeTheBall!

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Iffy he makes final cut. No way he finishes season with gruden as hc. Chucky believes in accountability.
Did you get the box set I sent you of "Wagon Train" and "The Hit Parade"?
 

GimmeTheBall!

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Damn straight. All the basement posters ripping on Witten for accepting more money to hang out on the sideline in the sun for a year than they'll make in their lifetime. lol
Yeah, we know mate, you wanted your mom to marry Witten. Too bad the laws on bigamy are different from his native Tennessee.
 

CalPolyTechnique

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Between Derek Carr’s career 6.9 Y/A and Witten’s paltry 8.4 YPC, this will truly be death by a 1,000 cuts, looool.
 

Buzzbait

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cowboyed

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Who is Witten's competition at TE for the Raiders.
Waller, Moreau, Bowers, Carrier
That is who is listed on the Raiders roster from the team website.
Though I don't know much about any of them.

Much less to compete with than Jarwin, Bell, Scultz. As 3 others that are PS guys.

I understand that the Raiders first game this season will be against the new franchise team The Vermont Varicose Veiners.
 

KeepinTime

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I think that not only because he still want to play, but because Gruden could keep him employed once he is done.

JJ could have gave him a chance as well but I dont think McCarthy wants anyone that is part of the JJ tree long term.

Then McCarthy’s thinking the right way. JJ has steeped this team in mediocrity for way too long.
 

eromeopolk

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Who is Witten's competition at TE for the Raiders.
Waller, Moreau, Bowers, Carrier
That is who is listed on the Raiders roster from the team website.
Though I don't know much about any of them.

Much less to compete with than Jarwin, Bell, Scultz. As 3 others that are PS guys.
Waller help me win fantasy football in 2 leagues. Witten is not going to make the roster as a blocker or not at all. Carrier is pretty fast and athletic.
 

jterrell

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good grief that article was terrible.

we are awfully hard on the home team folks here but man that was complete trash.

darren waller most exciting young TE in football??? ROFL. dude George Kittle is right there in SF.

Witten told us why he left. He begged for assurances of playing time and was denied. McCarthy was lukewarm at best and he signed elsewhere.
 

buybuydandavis

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The new coaching staff wanted a change at TE. Coaching was not an option in Dallas for Witten. So he was forced out. Good for him for finding another team, but he should have just retired. Maybe he chose to still play because he knows he has no future in broadcasting... he burned that bridge at MNF.

Witten could have just retired. Coming back to the Cowboys last year was his escape from further broadcasting humiliation. I think he's just padding his HOF totals now.

He may feel, with some justification, that he just wasn't in football shape last year. His play collapsed in the back half of the season. If he can keep up the pace of the first half of the season, he's totally viable as a mid level TE, maybe for years to come.
 
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