Cowboys TE looking to bounce back from historically horrible to new $70 million contract
When Jake Ferguson was taken in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft, the expectations were clear. The Dallas Cowboys were looking to replace Dalton Schultz, who was entering a franchise tag season. The Cowboys clearly weren't interested in investing too heavily in Schultz, and after he turned down their offer the landscape had been agreed upon.
Ferguson joined the club and initially appeared ready to reward the Cowboys for their vision at the position. By his second season he had emerged as a Pro Bowler and favorite target of quarterback Dak Prescott. However things fell apart in Years 3, and Ferguson was unable to handle the role of Cowboys' No. 2 weapon as there was no viable threat on the outside opposite CeeDee Lamb. The increased defensive scrutiny led Ferguson to turn in the worst statistical season in NFL history. Now, he'll look to not only bounce back in 2025, but prove last year was the fluke, not his 2023 campaign.
Position: Tight End
Age: 26
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 244 pounds
Hometown: Madison, WI
High School: Phillips Memorial (WI)
College: Wisconsin (Highlight Video)
Draft: 2022 Fourth round
Contract: Four-year deal (2022), $4.4 million
2025 Base Salary: $3.4 million
Career Earnings: $3.3 million (per Over The Cap)
Ferguson should have a lot less attention paid to him now that George Pickens is on the roster. Part of the reason he slumped so badly was because defenses could apply bracket coverage and he's not athletically capable of beating double teams. He is capable however of beating single coverage.
As far as roster competition, the Cowboys followed up his rookie campaign by drafting Luke Schoonmaker out of Michigan in the 2023 second round. He hasn't developed into a starter after two years, but did show some signs of life, so there will be an opportunity given to him to emerge as TE1. Ferguson will also have a ton of UDFA competition (Brevyn Spann-Ford, Princeton Fant, John Stephens, Rivaldo Fairweather, Tyler Neville) behind him; none of them look ready for a huge role but this is before training camp.
If Ferguson emerges with the role, he has a chance to earn a new contract, whether still in Dallas or elsewhere. The market was most recently set by Trey McBride. The two had relatively similar stats through their first two years, but went in totally different directions in Year 3.
Ferguson went from 90 catches for 930 yards and seven touchdowns in two seasons to just 59 catches for 494 yards and no scores in Year 3. McBride went from 110 catches for 1090 yards in two seasons and then exploded in Year 3 for 111 receptions for 1,146 yards in 2024. The Cardinals rewarded him with a four-year, $76 million extension.
Ferguson can only hope to achieve such a lofty contract, but before even thinking about avoiding the franchise tag fate that befell Schultz, he'll have to fight off the competition.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys Jake Ferguson looks to bounce back now that he has friends
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