With the Cowboys in the off-season and major changes flying around every team, Jake Ferguson’s Instagram story has low-key stolen the spotlight. In the middle of all the noise, he posted a story showing love for his tight ends coach, Lundawells, and it’s got Cowboys fans talking. The timing is kinda sus, especially with all the chatter about Mike McCarthy’s future right now. Could Ferguson’s shoutout be hinting at something deeper? Let’s break it down.

Ferguson, who’s been a reliable target for the Cowboys this season, posted a story with the caption, “ONE OF THEM COACHES THAT MAKES YOU LOVE THE GAME THAT MORE 🐐.” Showing some serious love for Lundawells. Jake might genuinely feel that Lundawells is one of the GOATs for him. This post could be his way of expressing how much the coach has influenced his passion for the game. With all the rumors swirling around coach Mike McCarthy‘s future, it’s got people wondering if this is Ferguson’s way of hinting at what the players really value in leadership. Could this post be about more than just respect for a coach? It might be signaling a bigger story within the team. Before we go deep into the ‘coach‘ story, let’s take a look at the contract, which made Jake Ferguson, glued to the Cowboys.

On the business side, Ferguson’s chill 4-year, $4 million deal comes with a cap hit of $1.3 million for 2024. For a guy who’s racked up 42 catches, 530 yards, and 5 TDs this season, that’s a steal for the Cowboys. This deal gives them some room to make moves — whether that’s adding fresh talent or making moves with the coaching situation.

However, Ferguson’s play this season hasn’t been all smooth sailing. Coming into the year, he was fumble-free, but now he’s got four turnovers, losing two of ’em. On top of that, he led all skill players with nine penalties, even though he missed three games. The Cowboys were definitely banking on him to keep improving, but his game kinda took a step back. Still, his contract is pretty chill, and the Cowboys have some wiggle room to work with. They’re probably gonna keep him around and help him get back on track as he continues to develop.

His dead cap value is only $176,221. So if the Cowboys need to make any changes down the line, they won’t be hit with a huge financial blow. That gives them some serious flex in the salary cap and room to plan for whatever comes next, whether that’s roster upgrades or dealing with the coaching drama. Jake Ferguson’s contract is a win for the team, letting them make moves without getting strapped for cash.

McCarthy’s next move: stay or dip?

It looks like Mike McCarthy might be staying with the Cowboys, after all. His current contract is up on January 14, 2025. And there’s been a lot of chatter about his future with the team. However, according to Jon Machota and Tom Pelissero. Jerry Jones and McCarthy both agree with the idea of working out a new deal. It’s not locked in yet, but talks are about to kick off, with McCarthy free to explore other options soon.

McCarthy’s had a solid run with the Cowboys, even though the 2024 season ended on a rough note with a 7-10 record. Still, the guy’s helped the team snag two division titles and has consistently delivered decent seasons. Despite the ups and downs, Jerry Jones is still down for McCarthy’s leadership. But with the contract deadline closing in, it’s time to seal the deal.

The timing is crucial, though, since the Cowboys also need to figure out what’s up with the rest of the coaching staff. All the assistant coaches’ contracts are up, so these talks will set the tone for what comes next. Oh, and while McCarthy’s on the table. The Bears are apparently interested in him too, but the Cowboys shot down their request to interview him. So yeah, it’s getting real, and McCarthy’s gotta lock it down soon if he wants to stay in Dallas.