For the second time in three years, Jason Witten is retiring from the NFL.
This time, it does appear to be for good.
The veteran tight end, who played last year with the Las Vegas Raiders, has reportedly informed the Cowboys that he not only intends to retire, but wishes to end his career with the Cowboys, according to a report from ESPN's Todd Archer.
"A coach once told me, 'The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example,'" Witten said to ESPN. "As I hang it up, I walk away knowing that for 17 seasons I gave it my absolute all. I am proud of my accomplishments as a football player on the field and the example I tried to set off of it. Football is a great game that has taught me many valuable lessons, and I look forward to passing on that knowledge to the next generation."
However, that official move won't be made until March, during the start of the new league year. That is when Witten's contract officially expires with the Raiders, plus the Cowboys will have an open roster spot and can sign Witten to the team and then move him to the Reserved/Retired list.
That was a list Witten was on for the entire 2018 season when he decided to hang up the cleats and join the Monday Night Football crew as an analyst.
But in 2019, Witten wasn't quite done playing. He returned to the Cowboys for one season in Dallas. He was not re-signed in free agency and decided to play a year with the Raiders. Last season, he caught just 13 passes for 69 yards and two touchdowns.
But Witten certainly isn't short on numbers throughout his career. The Cowboys' all-time leader in games played, starts, catches and receiving yards, Witten also ranks among the best in NFL history for tight ends.
Currently, his 1,228 career receptions is second among NFL tight ends, but fourth overall, behind only Jerry Rice, Larry Fitzgerald and Tony Gonzalez.
A projected future Hall of Famer, Witten is the only offensive player in Cowboys history to make 11 Pro Bowl selections, which ties him for the most among all players with Bob Lilly.
82 of the best views from the 15-year career of tight end Jason Witten as a member of the Dallas Cowboys.
Tight end Jason Witten of the Dallas Cowboys in the Dallas Cowboys 24-7 win over the Arizona Cardinals at Texas Stadium in Irving, TX on 10/05/2003. ©James D. Smith/NFL Photos
Tight end Jason Witten (82) of the Dallas Cowboys fights off linebacker James Darling (51) of the Arizona Cardinals in the Dallas Cowboys 24-7 win over the Arizona Cardinals at Texas Stadium in Irving, TX on 10/05/2003. ©James D. Smith/NFL Photos
Tight end Jason Witten #82, tackle Torrin Tucker #77 and guard Andre Gurode of the Dallas Cowboys line up against the Green Bay Packers during an NFL football game on October 24, 2004 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers beat the Cowboys 41-20. (AP Photo/David Stluka)
Dallas Cowboys receiver Jason Witten (82) catches a 42-yard touchdown pass in front of Green Bay Packers cornerback Al Harris in the third quarter Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Dallas Cowboys' Jason Witten (82) pushes away Cincinnati Bengals' Madieu Williams (40) in the first half Sunday, Nov. 7, 2004, in Cincinnati. Cincinnati won, 26-3. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Matt Ware (21) reached for Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) in the second quarter in Irving, Texas, Sunday Oct. 9, 2005. Witten picked up 19 yards on the pass play. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) crosses the goal line on a 26-yarad pass play in front of Kansas City Chiefs safety Sammy Knight (29) in the second quarter in Irving, Texas, on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dallas Cowboys' Jason Witten shows the ball off after scoring against the Kansas City Chiefs in the second quarter on a 16-yard pass play in Irving, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Dallas Cowboys' Jason Witten, right, catches a touchdown pass as Carolina Panthers' Mike Minter defends during the second quarter in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten catches a 42-yard pass in front of New York Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce, left, during fourth quarter NFL football Sunday, Dec. 3, 2006, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The catch set up the winning field goal as the Cowboys beat the Giants, 23-20. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) tries to push off Detroit Lions linebacker Ernie Sims (50) after making a catch for six yards in the second quarter a football game Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten carries the bal; through a hole n their NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Irving, Texas, Monday, Dec. 25, 2006. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) tries to break away from New York Jets safety Abram Elam (27) in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2007, in Irving, Texas. Dallas won 34-3. (AP Photo/Mike Stone)
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 23: Tight end Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys runs with the football against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 23, 2007 in Chicago Illinois. The Cowboys defeated the Bears 34-10. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Dallas Cowboys' Jason Witten (82) runs with the football after losing his helmet during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007. Dallas won 38-17. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten signs autographs at NFL training camp, Friday, July 25, 2008, in Oxnard, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten, right, tries to get past Seattle Seahawks linebacker D.D. Lewis after catching a pass in the first quarter of an NFL football game Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2008, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) runs with the ball as New York Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce (58) pursues during the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/AP)
PHOENIX, AZ - FEBRUARY 1: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell (Center) poses with the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award with (Left to Right) Jason Witten of the Dallas Cowboys, Hines Ward of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Brian Waters of the Kansas City Chiefs Hines Ward of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Jason Taylor of the Miami Dolphins at the Super Bowl XLII NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell Press Conference at the Phoenix Convention Center on February 1, 2008 in Phoenix, Arizona. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) waits in the club area before introductions before an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. It was the Cowboys' first regular season game in the new stadium. (AP Photo/James D Smith)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) makes a reception for a touchdown as New York Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce, right, attempts the tackle in the first half of a NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Donna McWilliam)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) gives his son Cooper, 1, a kiss during warmups before the start of an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders,, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2009, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Erich Schlegel)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten #82 and Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin #19 during an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders Thursday November 26, 2009. The Dallas Cowboys defeated the Oakland Raiders 24-7 in regular season week 12 action. (Ap Photo/ Bill Nichols)
Dallas Cowboys Jason Witten plays in a game vs the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 13, 2009 in Tampa Bay, Florida. Cowboys win 34-21 (AP Photo/Tom DiPace)
GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 15: Tight end Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys talks on the phone as he stands on the sidelines against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on November 15, 2009 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Cowboys defeated the Cowboys 17-7. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) during an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against Tennessee Titans safety Michael Griffin (33) and linebacker Will Witherspoon (92) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) catches a pass as Houston Texans safety Bernard Pollard (31) defends during the second quarter of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) gets past Jacksonville Jaguars safety Courtney Greene to score a touchdown during an NFL football game in Dallas Sunday Oct. 31, 2010. (AP Photo/Sharon Ellman)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) breaks a tackle by New York Giants safety Deon Grant (34) during the second quarter of an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys at New Meadowlands Stadium Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Cowboys won the game 33-20. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) during an NFL football game against the New York Giants Monday, Oct. 25, 2010, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Melissa Kellerman (right) gasps after she was hit by Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (left) on the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins Thursday, November 24, 2011 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys won the game, 20-19. (AP Photo/James D Smith)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten makes a reception as Detroit Lions free safety Louis Delmas, left, and defensive back John Wendling defend during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 2, 2011, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dallas Cowboys' Jason Witten (82) gets ready to stiff-arm Arizona Cardinals' Sam Acho (94) during the first half in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals defeated the Cowboys in overtime 19-13. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) makes a bobbling catch during an NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011, in San Francisco. The Cowboys won the game, 27-24. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Dallas Cowboys Jason Witten plays in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium inTampa Bay, FL on December 17, 2011. (AP Photo by Tom DiPace)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) talks to coaches on a phone in the bench area during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, December 2, 2012, at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles, 38-33. (AP Photo/James D Smith)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason WItten (82) rests during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in Seattle. The Seahawks won the game, 27-7. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, October 21, 2012, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Cowboys defeated the Panthers, 19-14. (AP Photo/James D Smith)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) scores a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012 in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) calls the team huddle together before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, October 20, 2013, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles, 17-3. (AP Photo/James D. Smith)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) takes a photo with a fan's phone after a training camp practice on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at City of Oxnard Fields in Oxnard, California. (AP Photo/James D Smith)
Dallas Cowboys captains Sean Lee (50), Jason Witten (82) and Dan Bailey (5) listen to referee Bill Vinovich (left) during the coin toss before an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday, October 27, 2013, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. The Lions defeated the Cowboys, 31-30. (AP Photo/James D. Smith)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) makes a 15-yard touchdown reception from Tony Romo as New York Giants safety Ryan Mundy (21) defends during the first half of a NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Dallas Cowboys' Jason Witten (82) looks over photo copies of game coverage during an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys won 27-23. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp)
Jason Witten of the Dallas Cowboys accepts the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award at the 2nd Annual NFL Honors on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013 in New Orleans. (Photo by AJ Mast/Invision/AP)
Dallas Cowboys' Jason Witten (82) celebrates grabbing a pass for touchdown in front of Washington Redskins' Bashaud Breeland (26) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Oct. 27, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tim Sharp)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten, right, puts his helmet on 12-year-old Michael Flynn, left, of Greensboro, N.C., as Witten talks to Flynn on the sideline during team warm ups before a NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 28. 2014, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Denver Broncos defensive end DeMarcus Ware shares a laugh with Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten before a NFL preseason football game, Thursday, Aug. 28. 2014, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) sprints into the end zone for a score against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) catches the winning touchdown pass from quarterback Tony Romo (9), left, during their NFL football game against the New York Giants in Arlington, Texas on September 13, 2015. (AP Photo/ Michael Ainsworth)
FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2014, file photo, Dallas Cowboys' Tony Romo (9) celebrates a touchdown pass to Terrance Williams with tight end Jason Witten (82) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans in Arlington, Texas. It's hard to say Romo and Witten have their best shot at a Super Bowl since joining the Cowboys together 11 years ago because they were a No. 1 seed in 2007. All things considered, though, this is probably their most potent offense. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade, File)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) holds his helmet during an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. (Tom Hauck via AP)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) scores a touchdown against the New York Giants as strong safety Landon Collins (21) follows during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) fights off a tackle attempt by Atlanta Falcons defensive back Phillip Adams (20) after Witten caught a pass from quarterback Brandon Weeden in the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) fights off pressure as he carries the ball against Cincinnati Bengals middle linebacker Rey Maualuga (58) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Arlington. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) celebrates his touchdown catch from receiver Dez Bryant (88) during the 2016 NFL week 16 regular season game against the Detroit Lions, Monday, Dec. 26, 2016, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Lions, 42-21. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) reaches the ball past the goal line for a touchdown after catching a four yard pass as Washington Redskins' Jeron Johnson, left, and Mason Foster (54) right rear, defend in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR CHILD HUNGER ENDS HERE - Country music singer Hunter Hayes and Dallas Cowboys' Jason Witten join Jan Pruitt (center), President and CEO of the North Texas Food Bank for a selfie photo on Thursday, April 16, 2015 in Dallas. They joined Child Hunger Ends Here to help pack backpacks full of food to benefit the one in four kids in North Texas who are at risk for hunger. (Photo by Richard W. Rodriguez/ Invision for Child Hunger Ends Here/ AP Images)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten runs in a touchdown in the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) reviews a notebook of still photographs of plays during a 2016 NFL week 13 regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings, Thursday, December 1, 2016, in Minneapolis, Minn. The Cowboys defeated the Vikings, 17-15. (James D. Smith via AP)
Washington Redskins cornerback Bashaud Breeland (26) rushes during an extra point kick as Dallas Cowboys' Jason Witten (82) defends during an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) stiff-arms New York Giants linebacker Keenan Robinson (57) after a catch during a 2016 NFL week 14 regular season game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants defeated the Cowboys, 10-7. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) before an NFL regular season game against the Washington Redskins and the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016 in Arlington, TX. The Cowboys won, 31-26. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) celebrates after scoring a touchdown to win the game during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles in overtime, 29-23. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) celebrates after catching a pass for a touchdown in overtime of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys won 29-23. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
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