RT “THE RETURN NOBODY SAW COMING?” Jason Witten Quietly Re-Emerges on a Possible Coaching Path With the Cowboys

Jason Witten, the beloved former Dallas Cowboys tight end and future Hall of Famer, is taking his first official step into the coaching ranks — a move that could eventually position him for a possible return to the Cowboys’ coaching staff in the years ahead.

📈 Fresh Start in College Football

After several years away from professional play, Witten has accepted his first collegiate coaching position as the tight ends coach at the University of Oklahoma, joining head coach Brent Venables’ staff. This marks a significant milestone in his coaching journey and gives him hands-on experience in developing offensive talent at a high level.

The former Cowboys star will work under a respected program and reunite with fellow Cowboys alumnus DeMarco Murray, who coaches running backs at Oklahoma.

🏈 From Player to Coach — A Growing Resume

Witten is one of the most decorated players in Cowboys history, with 11 Pro Bowl selections and franchise records in receptions and receiving yards. Following his retirement, he spent several seasons coaching at Liberty Christian School in Texas, guiding the program to state championships and solidifying his coaching foundation.

His move into college coaching is widely viewed as a strategic step toward greater opportunities — including a potential return to the NFL coaching ranks in the future. Several Cowboys insiders have long speculated that Witten’s deep football intelligence and leadership qualities make him a natural coaching candidate down the line.

💭 What This Means for Dallas

While Witten was not part of the Cowboys’ coaching staff in 2025 and has previously stated that no direct talks with Cowboys management took place about that year, he has repeatedly expressed an interest in coaching at higher levels someday.

His new role with Oklahoma not only enhances his résumé but also keeps him in the regional football conversation — especially given his long association with the Cowboys and respect within the organization.

For many fans, this move blurs the line between a coaching career in motion and a potential future opportunity with Dallas, particularly if a staff overhaul or new leadership direction emerges in the years ahead.

📊 Next Steps

Witten’s coaching impact will begin this spring as he helps develop tight ends and offensive schemes at Oklahoma. How quickly — and in what direction — his NFL coaching trajectory progresses from here remains to be seen, but he’s now firmly on the path that many have long anticipated.

This development adds an intriguing subplot to the Cowboys’ broader coaching and personnel landscape, one worth watching closely as the franchise builds for 2026 and beyond.