Silver Minings: Is Jason Witten set to become a coach?

Four days prior to setting the NFL record for games played by a tight end in the Las Vegas Raiders Week 17 win over the Denver Broncos, Jason Witten said coaching could be in his future.

This came shortly after Raiders’ coach Jon Gruden said he thought Witten was going to retire — and that he thought the future Pro Football Hall of Famer would make a great coach.

Witten, who played the 2020 season in Las Vegas after playing with the Dallas Cowboys, said he hadn’t yet decided if he was going to play in 2021.

However, if he doesn’t return, Witten may have some opportunities to coach immediately. The Dan Patrick Show connected Witten to the opening at his college alma mater, the Tennessee Volunteers.

Also, this week, Raiders tight end coach Frank Smith left for a promotion with the Los Angeles Chargers. There has been chatter that perhaps Witten could be a candidate for the Raiders’ tight ends coach job, so perhaps we will get some clarity on his future soon.

In other Raiders links:

• Good memory: It was 58 years ago Tuesday that Al Davis joined the Raiders. Everything changed that day.
• Good memory II: Four years ago on Tuesday, the Raiders applied to move from Oakland to Las Vegas.
• Bad memory: The Tuck Rule game was 19 years ago Tuesday.
• No. 42: Raiders’ receiver Nelson Agholor is No. 42 on ESPN’s list of best free agents.
• Room for improvement: The Athletic looks at Derek Carr’s 2020 season.