The Dallas Cowboys secured tight end Jake Ferguson with a four-year, $52 million contract extension on Sunday, making him the highest-paid tight end in the franchise’s history. This Jake Ferguson Cowboys contract extension comes ahead of the 2024 NFL season and reflects the team’s confidence in his role within the offense.
Details of the Deal and Ferguson’s Career Achievements
The new contract guarantees Ferguson $30 million, a significant increase from the $3.4 million he was set to earn in the final year of his rookie deal in 2025. The 26-year-old has shown steady progress, catching 59 passes for 494 yards last season over 14 games, all of which he started. Despite not scoring a touchdown that year, Ferguson earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2023, highlighting his impact on the field. Since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, he has totaled 149 receptions, 1,429 yards, and seven touchdowns across 47 games, including 38 starts.
Impact on Cowboys’ Salary Cap and Team Outlook
The Cowboys stated this extension makes Ferguson the seventh-highest paid tight end in the entire NFL and helps free $1.8 million in salary cap space for the 2025 season. While this deal secures a key offensive player, star defensive pass-rusher Micah Parsons remains without a new contract as Dallas prepares for its season opener on September 4 against the defending Super Bowl champions in Philadelphia.
Comments from Team Leadership on Contract Negotiations
In the announcement of Ferguson’s contract on the Cowboys’ official website, co-owner and COO Stephen Jones referred to the team’s training camp site in Oxnard, California, as
“friendly ground for getting contracts one, so Dallas may not be done just yet.”
—Stephen Jones, Cowboys co-owner and COO
What This Means Moving Forward
Locking in Jake Ferguson with a record deal suggests the Cowboys are committed to maintaining consistency at the tight end position, which has become a vital component in their offense. With Parsons still in contract talks, more negotiations could unfold soon at the Oxnard training camp, setting the stage for key roster decisions before the regular season begins.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Jake Ferguson’s real name?
A. Jake Ferguson, also known as Jonathan Quinn Ferguson, was born on January 18, 1999. He plays professional football as a tight end with the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL.