The most surprising move of the week wasn’t a trade or a star signing. It was the Dallas Cowboys agreeing to a three-year, $18 million contract extension with backup tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford. This deal, which includes $12.075 million in guaranteed money, secures the 26-year-old through 2029. The team passed on a restricted free agent tender to lock him down, a move that signals a shift in the roster hierarchy.
Spann-Ford is not a first-round pick or a household name. Minnesota’s 2024 undrafted free agent, he joined the league. Yet, his agent, Mike McCartney, confirmed the terms to The Dallas Morning News. The financial commitment is massive for a player who started his career with no draft status. On X, McCartney stated that Brevyn Spann-Ford agreed to a 3 year extension with the Dallas Cowboys.
The Undrafted Rise Over A Second-Round Pick
This contract serves as a stark indictment of Luke Schoonmaker, the team’s 2023 second-round draft pick. Schoonmaker is entering the final year of his deal and has already been surpassed on the depth chart by Spann-Ford. The Cowboys clearly prefer the undrafted free agent’s physical style and blocking ability over the high draft capital they spent on Schoonmaker. The team has only two players left from the 2023 class: linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and Schoonmaker.
Spann-Ford’s path was not easy. He played in 34 consecutive regular-season games over the last two years. He recorded 18 receptions for 178 yards on 27 targets. His ability to block in the run game was the key factor. Special teams coordinator Nick Sorensen noted the need to balance his workload. “We will monitor it going forward,” Sorensen said Thursday regarding his reps. He added that head coach Brian Schottenheimer is “all about us winning on special teams.”
A Blue Collar Future Through 2029
The deal ties Spann-Ford to the franchise just days after the Cowboys restructured starter Jake Ferguson’s contract. Ferguson signed a four-year, $50 million extension last year. At this position, the pair now constitutes the team’s clear one-two punch. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the agreement, noting the specific guarantee numbers. “Cowboys TE Brevyn Spann-Ford’s contract extension is for three years, $18 million with $12.075 million guaranteed,” Schefter wrote.
Spann-Ford brings a unique size and skill set to the offense. Standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 270 pounds, he is a rare physical specimen. He ran a 4.77-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine despite his size. His agent noted the change in his status. During 2024, the undrafted free agent Spann-Ford likely faced a restricted free agent tender this offseason. Now under contract through 2029, per the agent’s statement.
The player himself is aware of the journey. He posted on X after going undrafted in 2024, “I’ll never forget this feeling.” He added, “Right back to work.” That work ethic paid off. The Cowboys are now betting on his future potential over his past stats. They believe he has a brighter future than the second-round pick they originally favored. The team will need to manage his snaps carefully to keep him healthy and effective on both sides of the ball.
