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Witten needs time to reflect before deciding on possible return

Tim Heitman / USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Cowboys' loss to the Green Bay Packers in their divisional-round matchup on Sunday was especially difficult for Jason Witten.

The team's longtime tight end has worn the star on his helmet for 14 seasons and still has yet to reach the NFC Championship Game. He felt this year's edition of the Cowboys - champions of the NFC East and owners of the No. 1 seed in the conference - could end that string of futility.

"It's emotional for me right now, not just for where I'm at in my career but for this team," Witten said after the game, according to Brandon George of the Dallas Morning News. "This started way back in February with a goal in mind, coming off a 4-12 season. We worked our tails off to make a plan and stay together as a team. We were united on the first day of camp ... when Tony (Romo) went down and Dak (Prescott), just the unity we've shown all season."

Witten couldn't hide his disappointment after the last-second 34-31 loss.

After missing out on perhaps his best chance at a championship, Witten will spend part of the offseason determining whether he will return for a 15th year.

"I haven't really thought about it," he said. "Every year when I'm empty at this point, it's just you gave everything you got, and I'll take time to reflect on it. I love this team and this group of guys and so, yeah, that will be the plan for sure.

"I'm in my 14th year, and you know there's a shelf life for everybody. You put everything you have into it, and when you come up short it's tough. It's not about a paycheck. It's about an opportunity to compete and lead and win and play in these types of games. This team had a special feel all the way through, and to come up short like that for me is hard."

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