Report: FOX targeting Jason Witten for TNF analyst job

Tony Romo's most reliable option on the field might become his competitor off of it.

FOX Sports is targeting Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten as an analyst for Thursday Night Football starting this season, a source told Michael McCarthy of the Sporting News.

Witten would first need to retire in order to take the position.

Peyton Manning, who recently turned down ESPN's offer, is also considered a candidate for the job, but if he doesn't want the gig, the network views Witten as a possible hire.

Without having missed a game since 2003, Witten is under contract with the Cowboys through 2021 and said after the 2017 season that he plans to play at least one more year. In November, the 35-year-old was also linked to a head coaching job at Tennessee, his alma mater, but he quickly denied interest.

If he were to go from the field to the broadcast booth, he would join a stable of former Cowboys in the media, which includes Romo and Troy Aikman.