EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Jason Witten has been awarded a contract extension that's expected to keep the star tight end with the Dallas Cowboys for the remainder of his career.
The five-year, $37 million includes a guaranteed $19 million, the team's website reported.
Witten, 29, made the extension public via Twitter on Sunday morning.
"I am blessed to say I will retire a Cowboy!" Witten wrote. "Thx to the jones family and all the cowboys staff! True honor to put on the star!!"
Witten is the second Dallas stalwart to receive an extension in the last three days. Another 2010 Pro Bowl pick, nose tackle Jay Ratliff, received on Friday a five-year extension worth $40 million ($18 million guaranteed).
Witten and Ratliff each had two years left on their contracts.
Witten had one of his best seasons in 2010, snagging 94 passes for a 1,002 yards and a career-best nine touchdowns. It was the second straight season for Witten to amass 94 catches and more than 1,000 yards.
Since 2006, no NFL tight end has caught more passes (429) for more yards (4,883) than Witten.
The Cowboys drafted Witten in the third round in 2003. This latest contract is his third since he entered the NFL and runs through 2017.
Witten's 617 career receptions are second most in franchise history behind Hall of Famer Michael Irvin's 750. He needs 46 catches to surpass Ozzie Newsom for the third most career receptions by a tight end in NFL history.
A seven-time Pro Bowl pick, Witten is regarded as one of the toughest players in club history, having played through numerous injuries. A broken jaw his rookie season resulted in him missing the only game of his career.
[Source: http://www.chron.com/sports/texans/article/Cowboys-award-37-million-extension-to-Witten-2165640.php]
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