It’s November 15 and the Dallas Cowboys are 3-6. Rumors are swirling about the possible fate of coach Mike McCarthy, and fans and observers are happily speculating about possible replacements.

Into this powder keg, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones delivered a definitive answer Friday morning to the question of whether ex-Dallas tight end Jason Witten could one day coach in the NFL.

“Yes. Without hesitation. Yes. He’s got something you can’t make up,” Jones told KRLD-FM in Dallas, via Jon Machota of The Athletics. “He reminds me a lot of our other tight end who is currently the head coach in Detroit (Dan Campbell).”

Campbell played for the Cowboys for three years, from 2003 to ’05. His career overlaps with Witten’s start; Witten ultimately spent 16 years with Dallas, where he made 11 Pro Bowls and two consensus All-Pro teams.

Witten, who retired after the 2020 season, currently coaches Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas.

“Jason is very advanced when it comes to understanding football and all the nuances. But more than anything, he really understands the physicality and the mentality of being physical and that part of it. Without a doubt, he could be an NFL player. ” coach). He has an extraordinary work ethic,” Jones said. “He can be a top coach.”