ESPN: Cowboys’ Jason Witten retiring after 15 seasons to join MNF

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) stands on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Monday, Sept. 25, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Dallas Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones, center, coach Jason Garrett, center left, CEO and Executive Vice President Stephen Jones, center right, and other Cowboys executives wait to make their first-round pick in the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 26, 2018, in Frisco, Texas. (Ashley Landis/The Dallas Morning News via AP)

FRISCO, Texas — ESPN is reporting that Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten plans to retire after 15 seasons and join the network as the lead analyst for its “Monday Night Football” broadcast.

Citing sources it did not identify, ESPN said Witten planned to meet with owner and general manager Jerry Jones on Friday before making the move official. Cowboys spokesman Rich Dalrymple said the team had no comment.

The news on the second day of the draft could affect Dallas’ plans just a week after Witten suggested he might play until he was 40 and intended to return this coming season. Witten turns 36 early next month.

It’s the second straight year that a Cowboys star is retiring to go into broadcasting. Former quarterback Tony Romo became the lead analyst for CBS last season.