The Dallas Cowboys secured tight end Jake Ferguson with a four-year, $52 million contract extension Sunday, making him the highest-paid tight end in franchise history.
Ferguson’s new contract includes $30 million guaranteed and a $12 million signing bonus, which also makes him the sixth-highest-paid tight end in the entire NFL when considering the average annual value of contracts.
Selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Ferguson has steadily emerged as Dallas’ primary tight end over the past two seasons.
After a breakout sophomore season in 2023 with 71 receptions, 761 yards, and five touchdowns, Ferguson led the Cowboys’ tight ends again last season, totaling 59 catches for 494 yards.
Despite the slight dip in production, the Cowboys value his versatility as a reliable pass catcher and strong run blocker, which are traits the team considers foundational to its passing game under quarterback Dak Prescott.
Additionally, this contract allows the Cowboys to potentially beat the market if Ferguson puts up another strong season, with the team now locking in a guaranteed price for the foreseeable future.
New additions like running back Javonte Williams and wideout George Pickens may reduce Ferguson’s target share — but could also draw defenders away, creating higher-quality matchups for the tight end.
The Cowboys struck the deal with one year left on Ferguson’s rookie contract, originally set to pay him $3.4 million in 2025.
The contract also provides the Cowboys with about $1.8 million in salary cap savings for the upcoming season, adding even more financial flexibility for the team’s wider roster construction.
Notably, Dallas agreed to terms with Ferguson while also discussing a deal with defensive end Micah Parsons — a topic that has garnered the most attention of any team in the league.
NFL Insider Adam Schefter recently told The Dallas Express that these talks broke down early in the offseason following comments by Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones, who claimed that he did not want to discuss an extension with Parsons’ agent David Mulugheta.
Since these comments, both Parsons and Jones have seemingly taken shots at each other throughout training camp, with no end in sight for the ongoing discussions between the two sides.