Jason Witten, Cowboys Restructure Contract: Latest Details and Reaction

The Dallas Cowboys and longtime tight end Jason Witten have agreed to restructure the 10-time Pro Bowler's contract to save America's Team $2.4 million in cap space for 2015.

ESPN.com's Todd Archer reported the news Wednesday and specified that $3.6 million of Witten's remaining $4.5 million salary for this season has been redistributed to signing bonuses for the next two seasons. Witten's five-year, $37 million deal expires after the 2017 campaign, per Spotrac.

Wednesday's move was done to soften the cap burden brought on by the Cowboys' recent trade for quarterback Matt Cassel, according to Archer.   

But if anyone is worth the money for Dallas, it's Witten, a veteran who continues to produce on an annual basis as a blocker and stupendous pass-catcher. He is a paragon of productivity, professionalism and toughness.

Evidence of those qualities can be found in Witten's numbers, his willingness to sacrifice money for the team and the fact that he's on track to play in Week 3 despite rather severe injuries, per NFL Network's Desmond Purnell:

ESPN Stats & Info highlighted how much of a staple Witten has been in the Cowboys lineup:

The 33-year-old Witten scored two touchdowns, including the game winner in the Cowboys' victory over the New York Giants in Week 1. He followed it up with seven receptions for 56 yards on eight targets against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2.

Dallas is taking on the Atlanta Falcons at home this Sunday in a duel of 2-0 teams. Unfortunately, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is out with fractured clavicle, exacerbating the absence of stud receiver Dez Bryant.

Brandon Weeden will be tasked with taking over for Romo under center. Head coach Jason Garrett has professed his faith in Weeden, per Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News:

Witten's value is bound to be visible as ever in Week 3 because Weeden needs a secure, sure-handed target to lean on. The Cowboys don't have a proven No. 1 receiver for Week 3 who's likely to best Falcons star cornerback Desmond Trufant on a regular basis.

Unless Weeden performs poorly and Cassel winds up playing before Romo's return from injury, Witten's restructuring may have little overall impact. The fact he's still agreed to do it in spite of that is a testament to why Witten has enjoyed such tremendous success in the NFL.