Dallas Cowboys lock in tight end Jake Ferguson with four-year, $52M extension
The Dallas Cowboys and tight end Jake Ferguson have agreed to a four-year, $52 million extension that will keep the Wisconsin product tied to the team through 2029, a team source confirmed to the Star-Telegram on Sunday. The deal includes a $12 million signing bonus and $30 million guaranteed. He becomes the seventh-highest paid tight end in the NFL.
Since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Ferguson has stepped into a starting role and flourished since the departure of Dalton Schultz in the 2023 offseason. In his first year as the full-time starter, Ferguson earned Pro Bowl honors after hauling in 71 receptions for 761 yards and five touchdowns.
However, his 2024 season was full of adversity from a week one knee sprain to a midseason concussion and backup quarterback play throughout the season. He finished the year with 59 receptions for 494 yards and zero touchdowns for the first time in his career.
“My knee hurt, for sure,” Ferguson said over the offseason. “The concussion was weird. But I’ve said this before, if I’m on the field, I should be able to give it my all. I don’t think I’ve ever played a full season and not scored a touchdown. That was something that I came into this offseason really working on. Just trying to really dial in on those things.”
Despite the down year, confidence remains high in Ferguson to get back to his steady progression that he showed in 2023.
“I think last year was a fluke [for Ferguson],” head coach Brian Schottenheimer said. “He definitely dealt with some stuff that was hard for him. Jake’s always motivated. Jake is one of those tone setters who just plays the right way. But the look in his eyes and the way his body looks, in terms of physique, and the way he’s moving has been noticeably different in a good way.”
Instead of letting Ferguson play out his contract year, the Cowboys locked him up for the duration of quarterback Dak Prescott’s contract with the team, which expires one year prior in 2028. With Ferguson done, the attention can pivot to a handful of other stars that are also heading into the final season of their contracts, including defensive end Micah Parsons, cornerback DaRon Bland, wide receiver George Pickens, offensive guard Tyler Smith and kicker Brandon Aubrey. Each of those deals is expected to have money that will be among the top in the market for their respective positions.
Ferguson’s deal was signed while the team is in Oxnard, Calif. for training camp. Through four practices, Ferguson has been one of the more consistent pass-catchers with multiple receptions in team drills. On Sunday afternoon, the pads will come on for the first time, as the Cowboys look to carry high intensity team periods from the first few days into a more physical setting for their remaining time in Southern California.
This story was originally published July 27, 2025 at 10:47 AM.