Jason Witten hit with shocking decision from the Pro Football Hall of Fame in first year of eligibility

Former Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten had a chance to achieve football immortality on his first year on the Pro Football Hall of Fame ballot. But after Thursday night's announcement of this year's enshrinees, it's not happening: He'll have to wait to head into Canton, Ohio.

Witten snubbed from 2026 Hall of Fame class

It's a shocker to me that the Cowboys icon isn't going into Canton, Ohio this year. Sure, it's his first year of eligibility and that plays a role—just ask eight-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick. But come on, Jason Witten's resume speaks for itself.

Witten sits fourth in all-time NFL receptions, has four All-Pro seasons to his name, and is second in all-time receiving yards by a tight end. Earlier this week, former Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett shared his thoughts on Witten's chances to be enshrined this year.

"I think he's a slam dunk first-ballot Hall of Famer," Garrett told DallasCowboys.com. "What is he, [fourth] all-time in receptions in the National Football League? I think those are Hall of Fame credentials… certainly an elite player at his position throughout his time in the NFL and one of the all-time greats."

But that's the beauty of the Hall of Fame, I guess. You never know what to expect. But when you disagree with voters so much, it stings.

Former Cowboys safety Darren Woodson, who has been a finalist for the last four years, also missed out on being inducted.

2026 Hall of Fame class

Though Witten didn't make it as a first-ballot Hall of Fame, two NFL peers did: Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald.

• Drew Brees
• Larry Fitzgerald
• Luke Kuechly
• Adam Vinatieri
• Roger Craig

Witten to coach at Oklahoma in 2026

While Witten waits for the iconic Hall of Fame knock to arrive at his door, he'll be focused on coaching at the collegiate level for the first time in his career. He took a position to coach tight ends with the Oklahoma Sooners earlier in the year.

Earlier, Witten was head coaching at the high school level for Liberty Christian from 2021 to 2025.