This is going to be Blake Jarwin’s shot at redemption.
In 2018, Jason Witten retired to take on a broadcasting career that was short-lived. For one season, Jarwin was the No. 1 tight end on the team. Jarwin appeared in all 16 games, but delivered just 27 receptions for 307 yards and three touchdowns.
When Witten returned in 2019, Jarwin was demoted to a secondary role, but now he gets another shot. Witten signed a one-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders. Now in his fourth year, Jarwin talked about how he is going to fill the shoes of the former Cowboys legend.
“You’ve got to look at it like it’s just the beginning,” Jarwin said in the interview with ESPN’s Todd Archer. “I’ve still got a lot to prove. That’s another thing I learned from seeing a guy go to work every single day. He’s a 15-to-16-year vet, but he’s still trying to make the team like he’s a rookie. I’m going to hold on to that mindset. I was an undrafted free agent. That’s going to prevent me from ever being content.”
Jarwin also stated that Witten helped him and the other tight ends on the roster.
Jarwin agreed to a three-year extension with the franchise. The deal is reportedly worth $9.25 million guaranteed and up to $24.25 million.
After extended, former quarterback’s coach Jon Kitna compared Jarwin to two of the best tight ends in the NFL.
“Truly, with him, the sky’s the limit,” via The Athletic’s Saad Yousuf. “I look at him in the same category — I don’t think he’s there yet, but I think he has a chance to be — Zach Ertz and Travis Kelce.”
In Jarwin’s first three seasons, he has been nothing but a backup. He has shown flashes of being a weapon in an NFL offense, but nothing even close to a Pro Bowl caliber player.
Maybe that changes this season.