After a disastrous 2024 campaign, the Dallas Cowboys may consider putting tight end Jake Ferguson on the trade block before the upcoming season. Mark Heaney of Inside The Star believes the Cowboys could move on from the tight end as he’s entering the final year of his contract. Originally selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the former Wisconsin product became one of the most dependable targets for quarterback Dak Prescott, but due to injury and inconsistencies, he hasn’t been able to replicate the same Pro Bowl year he had in his sophomore campaign. Ferguson is hopeful to bounce back, but even that is questionable since the Cowboys might not have enough cap space to compensate for his contract.
This is why Tony Adame from Heavy Sports thinks the Cowboys should extend him sooner rather than later, despite the production he put up last season. It could buy them some time since they still need to extend Micah Parsons to a long-term deal, and they have George Pickens, Brandon Aubrey, DaRon Bland and Tyler Smith to give a new contract in the next two seasons. If the Cowboys decide to trade Ferguson, then it might be due to not only a salary cap basis, but they have affordable tight ends on their depth chart in Luke Schoonmaker and John Stephens. It’ll be interesting to see what happens to the former Pro Bowler who was looking like he would have a skyrocketing career in Dallas, but these three teams could pursue him.
Breaking: Cowboys Pro Bowler Jake Ferguson Could Be On Trade Block? – 3 Logical Fits
Possible Destinations
Kansas City Chiefs
This is the most logical fit for the Kansas City Chiefs. Veteran tight end Travis Kelce is returning for at least one more season, and since he hasn’t been the same, it might be safe to add depth behind him. Kelce is coming off his worst campaign from last year, and someone like Jake Ferguson could provide some long-term stability in this pass-catching group. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes hasn’t been able to get Kelce in rhythm and catch the ball like the two had chemistry, but if they trade for Ferguson, it could enhance the playmaking abilities down the field. Ferguson is no Kelce 2.0, but he has the body strength and overall build to be a capable tight end for the long term.
Head Coach Andy Reid must mortgage their future when it comes to the tight end unit. Noah Gray and Robert Tonyan won’t single-handedly carry their own two feet as capable starters, unlike Ferguson, who makes similar splash plays like Kelce, and he being a part of Kansas City could improve his footwork.
Los Angeles Chargers
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Chargers never fail to bring out the best in a tight end. This is why they signed Tyler Conklin to give another weapon for quarterback Justin Herbert. Despite having Will Dissly on the roster, Ferguson is arguably the better tight end in this situation and has plenty of years in the tank to be a dangerous AFC threat.
Carolina Panthers
While the Carolina Panthers will get Tommy Tremble in time for the 2025 campaign, the team should play it safe and trade for Jake Ferguson. Quarterback Bryce Young must be put in the best position possible based on his play at the end of the 2024 campaign, as they can’t lose that momentum. Ja’Tavion Sanders has potential, but they need a difference maker, and Ferguson provides that.
