The Cowboys recently got a deal done. While it’s not the one that’s the most pressing, it was better than nothing.
Tight end Jake Ferguson inked a four-year extension. We’ve gotten the terms.
Here there are, per a source with knowledge of the deal:
1. Signing bonus: $12 million.
2. 2025 base salary: $1.406 million, fully guaranteed.
3. 2026 base salary: $7.25 million, with a $500,000 workout de-escalator, fully guaranteed.
4. 2026 per-game roster bonus: $750,000 total, fully guaranteed at signing (but must be earned).
5. 2027 base salary: $6.25 million, with a $500,000 workout de-escalator, guaranteed for injury at signing and fully guaranteed in March 2027.
6. 2027 per-game roster bonus: $750,000, guaranteed for injury at signing, and fully guaranteed in March 2027 (but must be earned).
7. 2028 option bonus: $9.75 million.
8. 2028 base salary: $2.0 million, with a $500,000 salary de-escalator. (Of the amount, $1.594 million is guaranteed for injury.)
9. 2028 per-game roster bonus: $750,000 total.
10. 2029 option bonus: $9.75 million.
11. 2029 base salary: $2.0 million, with a $500,000 salary de-escalator.
12. 2029 per-game roster bonus: $750,000 total.
The option bonuses have an exercise window from the first day of the league year to the first day of the regular season.
The deal includes a $250,000 escalator for 2027 through 2029 that is triggered by the Ferguson catching 85 passes and the team making the playoffs in the prior season. There’s another $250,000 escalator for 2027 through 2029, triggered by 850 or more receiving yards and the team making the playoffs.
The deal also includes a $250,000 incentive for 2029 based on 85 catches and the team making the playoffs. It has a separate $250,000 incentive for 2029, based on 850 receiving yards and the team making the playoffs.
The four-year extension has a total value of $50 million, with a new-money average of $12.5 million per year. From signing, it’s a five-year, $10.681 million contract.
The deal includes $21.406 million fully guaranteed at signing. The third year — at $7 million — vests in 2027.
Ferguson is tied for seventh in new-money APY with Bears tight end Cole Kmet.
