For Dallas Cowboys legend Jason Witten, 2026 will mark a massive milestone. It is the first year Witten will be eligible to be enshrined in football immortality, as it's his first year on the Hall of Fame ballot.
"I haven't put a lot of thought into it, but for my name to be mentioned, the first thing that stands out to me is I get chill bumps thinking about that." Witten said of the idea of his name being etched into Canton.
Witten played 16 seasons with the Cowboys, retiring as the franchise's all-time leader with 1,215 receptions and 12,977 yards. Witten found the end zone 72 times in his career, and was named to 11 Pro Bowls.
"There's this sacred ground that comes with it," Witten said. "I truly love the game of football and pro football and what it was able to teach me, I recognize how hard it is to get into that club, how special of an elite group that is, and the best of the best."
"Just to be mentioned on that list of guys that could potentially get in there, that's all I need, it's a privilege to be a part of it, we'll see how it goes."
Witten retired after 2020 with a surefire Hall of Fame resume. The Hall requires five years to pass before being eligible for induction, and for Witten, his time is on the horizon after watching all those that came before him.
"It flies by, you start watching the Hall of Fame and you say 'I played against that guy, I played against that guy, I can't believe he didn't get in, what an unbelievable player,'" Witten said. "I'm excited for them, those guys that have the opportunity."
One of Witten's tight end contemporaries, Antonio Gates, was named to the 2025 class. The Chargers' legend is a player Witten has compared himself to.
"Obviously, Antonio was somebody I watched and went against coming in the same year," Witten said. "Our careers were very similar in a lot of ways, you're happy for them and reach out to them and congratulate them on what an accomplishment that is."
Witten won't be the only Cowboy up for induction in 2026, as former wide receiver Deb Bryant and linebacker Sean Lee will join Witten on the ballet. The tandem hopes to be reunited in Canton, enshrined in the halls of the games' history.
"Great players, I'd be hard pressed to think that there was a better receiver over that four or five years than Dez," Witten said. "I could probably say the same thing about Sean when he was healthy and playing."
"Great teammates, proud of those guys and what they've been able to accomplish, wish them the best on that journey as well."
