The Cowboys’ night in Tampa turned into a reminder of how quickly one bad financial decision can snowball into another. Dallas got shredded by the Buccaneers on Thursday, and the defense’s roughest moments made the absence of a healthy Micah Parsons feel even louder.
But the fallout isn’t just about what happened on the field against Bucky Irving. It’s also about what the Cowboys chose to do after trading Parsons despite his ACL injury: hand Jake Ferguson a four-year, $52 million extension with $20 million guaranteed.
That deal raised eyebrows when it was done. It looked like Jerry Jones was trying to make a point about paying his own players, especially since Ferguson got the money a year early and, at the time, became the fourth-highest-paid tight end in the NFL. Now it looks like another move that is coming back to bite Dallas.
Thursday’s loss put Ferguson’s slide on full display. In a game that should have played to his strengths, he dropped two passes, including the one that turned into Dak Prescott’s game-sealing interception. The ball went up off Ferguson and ended up in Alex Anzalone’s hands while Dallas was trying to put together a tying drive.
The problems don’t stop there. Since 2024, Ferguson is tied for the third-most fumbles, with eight, among all running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends, per Marcus Mosher.
Even more alarming, he’s the only player in that group of 11 with fewer than 400 touches. He has 151, which means he’s putting the ball on the ground about once every 19 touches.
At this point, the contract has become a serious drain. Ferguson is under team control through 2029, but there’s no guarantee he finishes out the deal and collects all of the non-guaranteed money. Dallas could get out of it as soon as the offseason.
And the Cowboys may need to think that hard about it. Ferguson isn’t making enough of an impact to justify the price, especially when his best trait is supposed to be his red zone work. On a roster with CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Javonte Williams, that value doesn’t stretch very far.
The version of Ferguson who could create after the catch has faded since his ACL sprain in 2024. He looks like a different player now, and not in a good way.
Dallas can’t cut him until the offseason, but Brian Schottenheimer does have one immediate move: shrink Ferguson’s snap share. The alternatives behind him aren’t perfect, yet Brevyn Spann-Ford is a better blocker and at least offers a path to more stability. The Cowboys need that, because Ferguson is actively hurting their chances to win.
And when you stack that against the money the team could have had for Micah Parsons, the whole thing looks even worse. Another costly Cowboys decision is already starting to hover over them.
In Other News...
TCU Fans Have A New Reason To Rally Around Thien An Nguyen
Thien An Nguyen is giving TCU plenty to cheer for beyond the usual fall calendar. The Horned Frogs alum and current medical student is competing on season 51 of CBS Survivor, and the school made a point to celebrate her latest appearance with a campus watch party. About 30 family members and friends gathered to watch the episode together, turning the evening into a small but meaningful show of support for one of their own.
Nguyen said she appreciated the backing and the chance to share the viewing experience with people who have been rooting for her. For TCU fans, it adds a new kind of storyline to follow, one that stretches far beyond Fort Worth and gives the campus a connection to one of televisions most enduring competition shows. [Read more 🡒]
TCU Offense Faces A Brutal Test Against Surging Baylor
TCU heads to McLane Stadium on Oct. 17 needing a reset, and the matchup comes at a tricky moment. Baylor has opened 4-1 overall and 2-0 in Big 12 play, while the Horned Frogs are 2-3 and still searching for a conference breakthrough. The contrast is clear on paper: Baylor has paired efficient offense with steady defense, and TCU has shown enough between the lines to move the ball but not enough to cash those drives in when the competition has stiffened.
The Horned Frogs have run into trouble turning production into points against Power Four opponents, which makes this trip a demanding one for an offense already trying to find its footing. Baylors recent surge adds another layer to the test, because the Bears are playing with balance and confidence on both sides of the ball. For TCU, the challenge is not just keeping pace, but proving it can finish possessions against a team that has been far more complete in conference play. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Has A Real Chance To Pull Away From TCU Again
Baylor comes out of a bye week with a chance to put some real distance between itself and TCU in the rivalry race, and the setup is favorable for the Bears at home after a strong previous win. The Horned Frogs, meanwhile, are trying to steady an offense that has been inconsistent for weeks, and the trip to Waco arrives with enough concern up front to make the matchup feel even tougher on the road.
For TCU, the challenge is as much about survival as execution. Baylor will be watching closely to see whether its quarterback can keep the offense on schedule, while the other side of the ball is focused on getting consistent pressure on the Horned Frogs quarterback and creating takeaways. If TCU cannot protect the pocket and clean up its recent offensive issues, Baylor has a clear path to turn this into another frustrating afternoon for the Frogs. [Read more 🡒]