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Jake Ferguson headlines a Dallas Cowboys tight end group costing $16.2 million against the salary cap this season. That spending figure currently ranks 11th among NFL positions.
This level of financial commitment is unlikely to carry beyond the current season. Ferguson has underperformed for two consecutive years since his breakout 2023 campaign in Dallas.
His 2024 season ranked among the worst statistical years in franchise history for a tight end. His 2025 campaign offered little improvement in generating yards after the catch.
Ferguson has fumbled seven times across the past two regular seasons combined. “Ferguson has been anything but ‘safe’ serving as Dak Prescott’s safety valve,” Reid D Hanson wrote for Cowboys Wire.
Ferguson’s 2026 cap number ranks seventh highest on the entire Dallas Cowboys roster. His overall contract value sits eighth among all NFL tight ends, according to Over the Cap.
Pro Football Focus graded Ferguson 50th overall at the tight end position last season. Teammate Brevyn Spann-Ford earned a far more respectable 16th-place grade at the same position.
Ferguson carries a cap hit exceeding $9 million once again in the 2027 season. Dallas could save significant salary cap space by releasing him before that year begins.
Such a decision would leave the Cowboys searching for a new starting tight end in 2027. The current depth chart behind Ferguson offers few appealing internal options to fill the role.
Dallas previously addressed predictable needs at linebacker with Dee Winters and Jaishawn Barham this offseason. They traded for George Pickens after missing on a draft receiver target.
Predicting roster needs has become a recurring exercise for the Cowboys over the past few years. Tight end now appears to be the next unavoidable position they must address.
Jake Ferguson’s backups give Dallas few answers at tight end
Spann-Ford has developed into a rising star on the Dallas offense this past year. He primarily profiles as a blocking specialist rather than a downfield receiving threat in the passing game.
Luke Schoonmaker remains a career underachiever who will be hard-pressed to match Spann-Ford’s snap count. He also becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2027, creating another roster vacancy at tight end.
Undrafted rookie Michael Trigg could change the organizational outlook with an impressive 2026 showing on the field. Otherwise, Dallas may need to add two tight ends during the next offseason cycle.
The 2027 free agent class features several proven veteran options at the tight end position. Available names include Sam LaPorta, Kyle Pitts, Dallas Goedert and TJ Hockenson.
Luke Musgrave, Michael Mayer and Colby Parkinson also rank among the scheduled 2027 free agents. Any one of those veterans could represent an immediate upgrade over the current starter.
Barring a significant statistical rebound from Ferguson in 2026, Dallas appears headed toward a full position overhaul. Their upcoming tight end needs to look every bit as predictable as they are serious.
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