34-year-old Jason Witten signs 4-year extension with Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys’ most reliable player over the past decade-plus isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

The Cowboys have signed 34-year-old tight end Jason Witten (he’ll turn 35 in May) to a four-year extension, keeping him with the team until 2021.

ESPN’s Todd Archer reported that the contract has a maximum value of $29.6 million and does not include any new guaranteed money. Witten was entering the final year of his preexisting contract, and will make $7.4 million in base salary this year; his salary cap amount is $12.262 million.

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The deal does allow the Cowboys the flexibility to restructure Witten’s contract at any time and gain $4 million in cap space, Archer wrote.

A third-round pick in 2003, Witten has been remarkably healthy in his career: he has played 223 of 224 career games, missing just one as a rookie. His 1,089 receptions already ranks seventh all time, and by averaging a modest (by his standards) 50 catches a year over the next five seasons will put him past Tony Gonzalez, whose 1,325 catches is most ever for a tight end and second-most all time behind Jerry Rice.

A 10-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, Witten’s 1,089 receptions have gone for 11,888 yards and 63 touchdowns.