Cowboys sign tight end Jake Ferguson to a 4-year, $52 million extension

OXNARD Calif AP The Dallas Cowboys signed tight end Jake Ferguson to a four-year million extension Sunday The deal includes a million signing bonus A fourth-round pick in Ferguson is entering the final year of his rookie deal It s money but it also doesn t change things Ferguson declared I still have to prove everything I still have to get out there between the lines and work my tail off and the ultimate goal is winning as several games as achievable He had catches for yards but did not have a touchdown reception last season The previous year he had career highs with catches for yards and five TDs Ferguson dealt with knee and concussion issues last year but still started games That s the first season I ve ever not scored a touchdown in my whole life so feeling that sting was definitely something Ferguson disclosed Even with the decline in production Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer declared Ferguson s importance in the eyes of the organization never changed Just really really excited for him Schottenheimer stated Last year obviously he didn t feel he had the best year but I think it inevitably shows you we re dependably evaluating everything and we value things he s done for us from a play temperament the enforcer that he is He loves football He s got that throwback-type mentality Ferguson is the grandson of College Football Hall of Fame coach Barry Alvarez Ferguson credits Alvarez the former Wisconsin head coach and athletic director for helping establish his hand-nosed approach on the field He s invariably taught me to protect mine noted Ferguson who played in college for the Badgers Ferguson could be even more valuable this season as the Cowboys look to rebound in Schottenheimer s first season in charge With the addition of George Pickens at wide receiver alongside CeeDee Lamb Schottenheimer expects opposing defenses to focus coverages on limiting them which should free up space for Ferguson So to have that guy that can work the middle of the field attack the middle of the field I think that s really really fundamental Schottenheimer commented He s got such a big body and such great body control that when he s running vertically he s kind of dependably open because he s got great body control he s got the ability to adjust his hands and make plays Really attacking seams and attacking across the field and doing things like that his size and catch radius really does help This deal comes as two-time All-Pro defensive end Micah Parsons remains in negotiations for his own extension entering the final season of his rookie deal Parsons reported in recent months he had not seen much progress in those talks AP NFL https apnews com hub nfl Source