5 bold predictions for Cowboys in 2019

2. Jason Witten will retire again

Lots of Cowboys fans are hoping that Witten’s return to the field will give a real boost to their team’s offense. That isn’t the most likely outcome. Guys who take a full year off of football at Witten’s age don’t typically come back as productive players.

The most likely outcome here is that Witten will quickly remember why he retired in the first place. His body was being beaten soundly on a weekly basis, and he’d lost the explosive athleticism that made him such a talented pass catcher at the tight end position. Witten might look good for a few weeks, but it’s going to be fool’s gold.

The prediction here is that Witten will suffer another semi-serious injury and he’ll elect to retire again before the regular season is over. That’s not a wish on our part, simply a prediction. The NFL is a violent sport and it’s difficult to play well when you toggle back and forth about your willingness to be a full participant.

Expect to read lots of preseason headlines about how great Witten looks on the field. In truth, those stories have already started to leak out of Dallas. Don’t believe the hype. It will be an upset if Witten can make it through the season with any measure of health and productivity.