The Cowboys have shown a special reverence for gifted tight ends in recent seasons. They added to that history on Sunday morning, agreeing to terms on a new four-year contract with Jake Ferguson, the team announced on its website.
Ferguson, 26, has emerged as one of the league’s better tight ends since arriving from Wisconsin in 2022. While his numbers pale in comparison to those of hulking willows like Travis Kelce, George Kittle, and Brock Bowers, Ferguson’s consistency has made him a crowd favorite. With his new deal, that reputation should only continue to grow.
With that, here’s what you need to know about Ferguson’s contract extension.
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Jake Ferguson contract details
- Years: 4
- Value: $52 million
Ferguson’s new deal kicks in during the 2026 season. He’ll net $13 million average annual value (AAV), the seventh-best mark among tight ends.
A fourth-round pick in 2022, Ferguson has proven one of Dak Prescott’s favorite options when healthy. He endured an injury-plagued 2024 season, taking part in just 14 matchups after being struck down by a concussion and persistent knee trouble. In 2023, he corralled 71 passes for 761 yards and five touchdowns, landing Pro Bowl honors as an injury replacement for George Kittle.
His latest deal includes a $12 million signing bonus and $30 million in guaranteed money. His deal runs through the 2029 season, and it also will see America’s Team free $1.8 million in cap space in 2025.
Ferguson was one of several high-profile talents whose contracts were approaching their expiry in Dallas. Star pass-rusher Micah Parsons remains the Cowboys’ top priority, while All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland, newly acquired wide receiver George Pickens, and Pro Bowl left guard Tyler Smith are expected to begin talks with the organization in the next few months.
Highest-paid tight ends in NFL
Ferguson will place in the top-10 wealthiest tight ends when his new deal kicks in next season. He has some way to go to reach the cream of the crop among this list, though, as his $13 million AAV still pales in comparison to the likes of Kittle, McBride, and Kelce, among others.
| Rank | Player | Team | AAV |
| 1 | George Kittle | 49ers | $19.1 million |
| 2 | Trey McBride | Cardinals | $19 million |
| 3 | Travis Kelce | Chiefs | $17.125 million |
| 4 | T.J. Hockenson | Vikings | $16.5 million |
| 5 | Mark Andrews | Ravens | $14 million |
| 6 | David Njoku | Browns | $13.6875 million |
| 7 | Cole Kmet | Bears | $12.5 million |
| 8 | Pat Freiermuth | Steelers | $12.1 million |
| 9 | Jonnu Smith | Steelers | $12.01 million |
| 10 | Dalton Schultz | Texans | $12 million |
Jake Ferguson stats
Much like Jason Witten and Dalton Schultz before him, Ferguson has emerged as one of Prescott’s safety blankets. He ranks ninth in catches (136), 10th in receiving yards (1,429), and 22nd in receiving touchdowns (5) among tight ends since the start of the 2023 season.
| Year | Games | Catches | Yards | TDs |
| 2022 | 16 | 19 | 174 | 2 |
| 2023 | 17 | 71 | 761 | 5 |
| 2024 | 14 | 59 | 494 | 0 |
| Career | 47 | 149 | 1,429 | 7 |
