The Cowboys sacrifice a $50 Million star in their collapse against the Green Bay Packers

After all the attention focused on the Dallas Cowboys’ defense and the adjustments they would make following a painful loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the franchise also made significant decisions on the offensive side of the ball.

Tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford was announced as the starter, demoting two-time Pro Bowl selection Jake Ferguson after a dropped pass last week that led to an interception and essentially sealed Dallas’ defeat.

Ferguson, who recently signed a four-year, $50 million extension, has had a highly disappointing start to the season. Through five games he has just 15 receptions for 102 yards — numbers that fall well short of both his new contract’s value and the role expected of him in the offense.

The decision does not mean Ferguson is completely out of the rotation, but it does reflect the Cowboys’ intention to demand better production from players who have underperformed early in the year.

Dallas entered 2026 with Super Bowl aspirations and as one of the teams expected to contend in the NFC. After five games, however, the Cowboys have become one of the league’s biggest disappointments.

While the defense has been the primary source of concern, the performances of Ferguson and right tackle Terence Steele have also raised alarms within the coaching staff.

Ferguson was ranked as the 10th-best tight end in the NFL by Pro Football Focus in 2023, but his play has declined since then. This season he carries a 49.0 grade, ranking 75th out of 81 tight ends evaluated by the platform.

With this change, Dallas is looking for an immediate response from its offense and is sending a clear message in the locker room: performance will be the primary factor in determining roles, regardless of a player’s name, track record, or contract.