Jason Witten steps away from Monday Night Football to return to Dallas Cowboys

Jason Witten
photo courtesy: Associated Press

Jason Witten has made the decision to end his one year retirement.

On Thursday the Dallas Cowboys announced that the 36 year old will return to the team for the 2019 season. This will make Witten's 16th season in the NFL.

Witten played 15 years with the Cowboys from 2003 to 2017. In that time he amassed 1,152 receptions for 12,448 yards and 68 touchdowns which ranks fourth in receptions and second in career receiving yards for a tight end. He is a two time All Pro and an 11 time Pro Bowler.

Witten will officially sign a contract with the Cowboys who retained his rights since his retirement following the 2017 season.

Witten released a statement stating: “The fire inside of me to compete and play this game is just burning too strong,” Witten said in a statement. “This team has a great group of rising young stars, and I want to help them make a run at a championship. This was completely my decision, and I am very comfortable with it.   I'm looking forward to getting back in the dirt.”

The future Hall of Famer may be setting himself up to coach for the Cowboys once his career is complete. The team has hired several former players to their coaching staff including offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and quarterbacks coach Jon Kitna.

Randy Gregory suspended indefinitely

Randy Gregory
Photo Courtesy: Associated Press

Randy Gregory has once again ended up on the wrong side of the National Football League.

The league announced on Tuesday that Gregory has been suspended indefinitely for violation of the league's substance abuse policy. This is Gregory's fourth suspension since being drafted by the Cowboys in 2015.

Gregory was suspended four games in his rookie season and while serving the suspension was suspended for an additional 10 games resulting in him playing in just two games in 2016. He was suspended the entire 2017 season before making a successful return in 2018.

Last season Gregory finished second in sacks behind DeMarcus Lawrence. There was hope he had finally turned the corner in his life.

Gregory has been outspoken about suffering with mental illness and using marijuana to cope with mental and emotional problems. Gregory reportedly suffers from bipolar disorder. With the NFL's strict stance against marijuana this has been a difficult issue for Gregory to deal with. 

Cowboys are standing behind the 25-year old talent and hopeful he can make a return in 2019. "We’re going to keep working and cheering for him. I think he’s just got to take the next step both on and off the field," vice president Stephen Jones said.

Raiders will play in Oakland in 2019

Oakland Coliseum
photo courtesy: Associated Press

After months of uncertainty on where the Raiders will play this upcoming season, the team has finally found a home.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Mark Davis and the Oakland Coliseum Authority reached an agreement on Monday for the Raiders to play in Oakland for the 2019 season.

In addition a team option was put in place for the team to play in Oakland in 2020 if the Las Vegas stadium isn't ready.

While a deal is in place, the agreement needs to be finalized, voted on by the Coliseum Authority, voted on by the Oakland city council and finally voted on by the owners at the Owners Meeting in March before the deal is actually complete.

Raiders Las Vegas stadium is scheduled to open in June 2020.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft charged with soliciting prostitution

Robert Kraft
photo courtesy: Associated Press

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is being charged with two misdemeanor counts of solicitation of prostitution stemming from a raid of the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in Jupiter Florida.

Kraft was caught up in a months long investigation involving the spa and a human sex trafficking ring in Florida. Martin County Sheriff says the women involved in the sex ring were told they were coming to the U.S. for legit jobs and held instead as sex workers where they worked seven days a week seeing hundreds of men per year with minimal hygiene.

Police say they have video evidence of Kraft and that he visited the spa on two separate occasions and are currently working on a warrant for his arrest. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Kraft may not be the biggest name involved.

A spokesperson for the Patriots released a statement in regards to the incident: "We categorically deny that Mr. Kraft engaged in any illegal activity. Because it is a judicial matter, we will not be commenting further."

Bengals hire Lou Anarumo as defensive coordinator

Lou Anarumo
photo courtesy: USA Today

After weeks of unsuccessful searching and declined interviews, the Cincinnati Bengals have found their new defensive coordinator.

Thursday the team announced the hiring of Lou Anarumo as their new defensive coordinator.

Anarumo spent 20 years as a college coach before he began his NFL coaching career with the Miami Dolphins in 2012. He was the interim defensive coordinator on October 8, 2015 after the team fired Kevin Coyle. He was made the defensive backs coach in the 2016 season under then new head coach Adam Gase. He served as the defensive backs coach for the New York Giants in 2018. 

Anarumo joins new head coach Zac Stacy and new offensive coordinator Brian Callahan for the Bengals 2019 season. 

Antonio Brown, Steelers agree to part ways

Antonio Brown
Photo Courtesy: Associated Press

Antonio Brown's time in Pittsburgh  is likely over.

Brown took to Twitter on Tuesday to post a message about his meeting with owner Art Rooney II:

Had a great meeting with Mr.Rooney today we discussed a lot of things and we cleared the air on several issues! We both agreed that it is time to move on but I’ll always have appreciation and gratitude towards the Rooney family and @steelers organization! #CallGod #Boomin pic.twitter.com/DEgURchvhW

— Antonio Brown (@AB84) February 19, 2019

 Brown first requested a trade in late January. On Saturday he took to Twitter to talk about his displeasure with the organization specifically with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and head coach Mike Tomlin.

Brown's agent Drew Rosenhaus told ESPN that neither he nor Brown have permission to speak with any teams in regards to a trade deal and that the Steelers were handling all of the talks.

Brown still has three years remaining on his current contract extension with the Steelers that he signed in 2017. The team owes a $2.5 million roster bonus to him if he isn't released or traded by March 17.

Brown had a great season in 2017 with 104 receptions for 1,297 yards and 15 touchdowns. This was his sixth straight season with 1200 plus yards. Steelers will be able to command high compensation for Brown.

Dolphins add Reggie McKenzie to front office staff

Reggie McKenzie
photo courtesy: Associated Press

Dolphins are making moves this offseason including to their front office staff.

According to ESPN, the team hired Reggie McKenzie as a senior personnel executive on Saturday.

McKenzie began his NFL career in 1994 as a scout with the Packers. He worked his way up over his 18 years with the team to director of player personnel and finally to director of football operations.

In 2012 the Raiders hired McKenzie as general manager. In 2016 the team gave McKenzie a four-year contract extension through the year 2020. Following the 2016 season he won NFL Executive of the Year by Pro Football Writers of America. The team's success was short lived and McKenzie was fired during the 2018 season.

 McKenzie's role with the Dolphins is unclear for now but he will work with general manager and director of football operations Chris Grier to help improve the team with new head coach Brian Flores.