A Stark Contrast from Pro Bowl Performance
After earning Pro Bowl honors in 2023, Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson saw a significant dip in performance during the 2024 season. The 26-year-old acknowledged the challenges he faced. “I definitely wasn’t satisfied with how I played all last year,” Ferguson said via Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Ferguson’s stats took a notable hit. In just 14 games, he recorded 59 receptions for 494 yards and failed to score a single touchdown. This came after a standout 2023 season, where he tallied 71 catches for 761 yards and five touchdowns across 17 games.
Injuries Derail Momentum
The downturn began early with a knee sprain in Week 1, causing Ferguson to miss a game. His season struggled to gain momentum afterward. A concussion in Week 11 sidelined him for two more games.
“My knee hurt, for sure,” Ferguson said. “The concussion was weird. But I’ve said this before, if I’m on the field, I should be able to give it my all. I don’t think I’ve ever played a full season and not scored a touchdown. That was something that I came into this offseason really working on. Just trying to really dial in on those things.”
Struggles and Self-Reflection
Throughout the season, Ferguson had only three games with more than 50 receiving yards and eight with fewer than 25. Although quarterback Dak Prescott’s injury contributed to the offense’s struggles, Ferguson admitted he needed to improve his response during adversity.
“That’s the game of football, not everything is going to go perfect,” he said. “Personally, I’m putting that in the past and I know now what I have to work on.”
Looking Ahead to 2025
Despite his disappointing year, Ferguson still finished third in receiving yards among Cowboys players, underscoring the lack of contributions from non-CeeDee Lamb pass catchers. With the addition of George Pickens, there’s hope for offensive improvement, and a resurgence from Ferguson could be pivotal.
“I think last year was a fluke [for Ferguson],” head coach Brian Schottenheimer said. “He definitely dealt with some stuff that was hard for him. Jake’s always motivated. Jake is one of those tone setters who just plays the right way. But the look in his eyes and the way his body looks, in terms of physique, and the way he’s moving has been noticeably different in a good way.”
