The Cowboys’ late-night extension spree did more than lock in two depth pieces. It also threw a fresh spotlight on Luke Schoonmaker and where he fits in Dallas moving forward.
Brevyn Spann-Ford’s new deal makes the picture at tight end a lot clearer. The backup tight end agreed to a three-year contract worth $18 million, with $12.075 million guaranteed, and the deal runs through 2029. Ryan Flournoy also got extended, landing a one-year pact worth up to $6 million.
For Dallas, Spann-Ford’s extension looks like a firm vote of confidence. He has earned his role by bringing versatility and strong blocking, and the Cowboys have clearly decided he’s the TE2 going forward. That leaves Schoonmaker, the former second-round pick from the 2023 NFL Draft, in a more uncertain spot than ever.
Schoonmaker arrived with expectations after starring at Michigan, but the production has never matched the draft slot. Over three seasons in Dallas, he has made 13 starts and been targeted 74 times, finishing with 49 catches, 438 yards and three touchdowns. He was already viewed as a roster bubble player heading into training camp, and the Spann-Ford move only adds to the pressure.
The Cowboys have also kept adding at the position. They signed undrafted free agent Michael Trigg this offseason and eventually placed him on the practice squad, another sign that Dallas has been searching for more depth behind the starters.
That’s why Schoonmaker’s name could come up in trade conversations. One possibility is that Dallas could use him in a package for a team that needs tight end help while the Cowboys continue their hunt for a “substantive” defensive player.
Maxx Crosby remains the big name that keeps surfacing in those discussions. The Raiders pass rusher has been linked to Dallas for some time, and the Cowboys have already made previous attempts to acquire the All-Pro in a trade.
There’s also a wrinkle in Las Vegas that could matter. The Raiders announced that Brock Bowers had a minor meniscus trim surgery on September 8, and he is expected to miss “a game or two.” If that absence stretches longer, Schoonmaker would at least offer another body at a position where the Raiders could use help.
None of that means a deal is close. It does, though, give Dallas another asset to work with if trade talks heat up. If the Cowboys and Raiders get near a framework, Schoonmaker could be the piece that helps push it across the line.
For now, it’s speculation. But with the Cowboys making one subtle move after another, plenty around the team believe there may be something bigger in motion.
In Other News...
Cowboys Suddenly Have A Joe Milton Problem They Cant Ignore
Sam Darnolds early exit in Seattles opener instantly turned a backup situation into a storyline worth watching, but it also put a familiar name back into circulation around the league. Joe Milton III, who is on the Cowboys practice squad, has already made himself interesting enough this summer to draw outside attention, thanks to the way he flashed in preseason action and reminded teams around the NFL that a high-upside quarterback can quickly become a talking point.
For Dallas, that is where the discomfort begins. The Seahawks are expected to stay the course with their current quarterbacks, and Darnolds hip injury is not expected to send him to injured reserve, but any quarterback injury in September tends to sharpen the market for depth. If another team decides it needs a live arm, the Cowboys could suddenly find themselves in the position every front office tries to avoid: protecting a developmental quarterback who has become more visible than they probably wanted. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys Fans Should Be Watching What The Raiders Just Did
The Raiders have quietly created a little more room to maneuver by restructuring the contracts of Quay Walker and Jalen Nailor, opening up $8.2 million in cap space and pushing their total cushion to just over $11 million. For Dallas, that kind of financial flexibility is worth watching because it gives Las Vegas the ability to absorb salary in a trade, which is exactly the sort of move that can change the conversation around a roster in a hurry.
For the Cowboys, the name that hangs over this is Maxx Crosby, a player whose future has long drawn attention whenever the Raiders gain cap breathing room. Las Vegas could still decide to use the space elsewhere, whether on free agents or by rolling it into next season, but the restructure does at least keep the door open for something bigger, and that is the part Dallas fans will want to monitor closely. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys Suddenly Have A New Running Back Depth Concern
The Cowboys left practice with a fresh concern in the backfield after Malik Davis had to be carted off the field during the teams final workout of the week. Dallas has been able to lean on its running back depth throughout camp, but any injury at this point of the week gets attention fast, especially for a player whose role can shift quickly depending on health and game plan.
The team has other backs on the roster and practice squad who could be asked to handle the load if Davis is not available, but the bigger issue now is simply waiting to learn what happened. His status for the upcoming game is unclear, and until the Cowboys get more information, they will have one more spot in the offense to monitor closely. [Read more 🡒]