NFL Vets Retiring Early to Work on TV Is Going to Be a Trend

Expect others to follow in Tony Romo and Jason Witten's footsteps.

Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on during the game against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 17, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on during the game against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 17, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Getty Images

Last year, longtime Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo retired from pro football to take a job as an NFL broadcaster for CBS.

Although questioned at the time, the move turned out to be a huge success as Romo drew rave reviews for his insight into the game and ability to relate his experiences as a player to what was going on in the contest he was calling.

This week, Romo’s former Cowboy teammate Jason Witten is following him into the broadcast booth and getting paid handsomely for it, albeit for ESPN instead of CBS.

Given that players can earn nearly as much, if not more, money calling games, as they can playing, don’t be surprised to see more NFLers calling it quits early to take cushy TV jobs.

Next season, expect to see Jay Cutler and Joe Thomas popping up during NFL broadcasts and possibly even Greg Olsen, even though he is still under contract with the Carolina Panthers.

“There are a limited number of television jobs for sure,” according to Awful Announcing. “Not every player is going to be able to step in to a primetime spot right away. But moving forward, don’t be surprised if more top-level players look at making the transition to television earlier and earlier in their careers as they weigh whether or not it’s worth it to play on.”

Win the Ultimate Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix Experience

Want the F1 experience of a lifetime? Here’s your chance to win tickets to see Turn 18 Grandstand, one of Ultimate Formula 1® Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix’s most premier grandstands!