With one move this offseason, the Dallas Cowboys established one of the most balanced passing attacks for the Dak Prescott-led offense. Acquiring deep-threat receiver George Pickens to pair opposite of the rangy All-Pro CeeDee Lamb will do wonders for Dallas' versatility through the air.
This move also hopes to open up space for promising tight end Jake Ferguson, who thrives on opportunities in the middle of the field.
As exciting as this formula looks on paper for 2025, the Cowboys could be moved to think long-term with how they construct their pass-catching arsenal. Lamb is locked in with Dallas for a while and many expect the organization to extend Pickens' contract if all goes well this season.
Ferguson is up for a new contract next offseason, but he might be considered a more uncertain puzzle piece after a forgetful 2024 campaign and Dallas' busy plans for player contracts in 2026.
These factors lead Anthony Palacios of Last Word On Sports to believe the Cowboys could be in the market to trade for a tight end to sure up their passing game for the future.
"The Dallas Cowboys got a wide receiver to help star CeeDee Lamb in the aerial attack after trading for George Pickens. This new duo could reach new heights, but they can’t ignore the tight end department. Jake Ferguson is entering the final year of his contract, and he’s on the hot seat this season after missing a few games last campaign. Fant could fill the hole if they can’t retain Ferguson due to cap issues," Palacios wrote.
Their target in this proposal would be Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant, a former first-round pick of the Denver Broncos in 2019 who landed in Seattle after the 2022 trade that included Russell Wilson.
Palacios claims that Seattle drafting tight end Elijah Arroyo this offseason points to them potentially not including Fant in future roster plans, which would put him on the trade block after an otherwise underwhelming career to this point.
For the Cowboys, while the idea's reasoning pertains to Ferguson's expiring contract, Fant also happens to be entering the final year of his current deal in 2025 ... so Dallas would basically have to chose between Fant or Ferguson if they can't keep them both.
After this season, there are no guarantees either way. Dallas would be forced to extend Fant's contract to avoid an inefficient one-year rental if the trade were to happen. That is, assuming they can't also retain Ferguson.
Last year, Fant caught 48 passes for a quiet 500 yards and one touchdown. In a season that was hampered by injury, Ferguson registered near identical numbers (59 receptions, 497 yards, no touchdowns).
However, Ferguson's peak far outweighs Fant's. And it was not that long ago. So it's clear the Cowboys would try to keep Fergie in Dallas.
In 2023, Ferguson reached the Pro Bowl (something Fant has never done) after turning into Dallas' No. 2 option by reeling in 71 catches for 761 yards and five touchdowns.
All of those marks would be career highs for Fant, who has been in the NFL twice as long as Ferguson (six years vs. three years).
These comparisons don't help make sense of the idea of Dallas trading for Fant. Although you can never have enough depth, we believe they would rather focus on re-signing just Ferguson than be forced to settle with Fant as a backup plan, who may have just as uncertain a future.
This season, the Cowboys are much more likely to hope Ferguson can make it back to full health and return to his earlier form. Giving up draft capital for Fant would convey that the organization has little confidence in Ferguson's ability to bounce back.
The addition of Pickens may put Ferguson into more favorable positions without the pressure of him needing to be one of Dallas' top pass catchers, in turn helping his chances for a more productive season.
The Cowboys already have a lot on their plate in the 2026 offseason as key contributors DaRon Bland, Brandon Aubrey and Tyler Smith among others are also up for new contracts.
Ferguson should be added to this group as well ... even if he creates more "cap issues" than Fant would.
