The Dallas Cowboys are making moves before their 2026 season opener against the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football. 

Dallas is extending one of its rising players, and that would be tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford, who goes from undrafted free agent to receiving a three-year contract extension from the Cowboys. Spann-Ford’s agent, Mike McCartney, announced the deal on X on Thursday night.

UPDATE: The extension is worth $18 million with $12 million in guaranteed money, per Mike Garafolo from NFL Network.

Spann-Ford has been a genuine success story for the Cowboys. He signed as an undrafted free agent out of Minnesota back in 2024, and he’s currently in line to be Dallas’ No. 2 tight end behind Jake Ferguson and above Luke Schoonmaker, who was drafted in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Spann-Ford’s blocking ability has been his calling card

There are many reasons why Spann-Ford is being extended by the Cowboys but the most obvious one is his run blocking. 

Ever since he was a college prospect, run blocking was the best aspect of Spann-Ford’s game. That fit him well last year when the Cowboys embraced offensive coordinator Klayton Adams’ run game, which preached physicality and featured a lot of pulling linemen and pulling tight end blocks. Spann-Ford has been able to shine in that space.

Going into the 2026 season, there was a big expectation that Spann-Ford would overtake Schoonmaker for the No. 2 tight end job, and he has delivered. The Cowboys actually decided to sit Spann-Ford for their three preseason games in August while Schoonmaker was asked to play in all three.

Now, with an extension in place, it’s clear the Cowboys have made their long-term bets at tight end and he’s included. 

Could Spann-Ford compete with Ferguson for snaps?

The expectation for Spann-Ford is to be a big-time contributor on offense. It wouldn’t even be a surprise if he starts competing for more and more snaps with Ferguson himself, who last year signed a 4-year extension for $52 million. However, Ferguson’s production has taken a hit over the last couple of years, maybe not so much in the touchdown area, but certainly in the explosive play and yards-after-catch departments. Ferguson is looking for a rebound year, and I wouldn’t be surprised if these two players start competing for more playing time.

I would hesitate to predict Spann-Ford becoming the No. 1 tight end on the team. But here’s what I’m trying to say: if Spann-Ford combines his high-end blocking with a rising pass-catching ability, then he’s just going to be difficult to take off the field.

Dallas already asks a lot from Spann-Ford in the run game

Keep in mind the Cowboys already demanded a lot from Spann-Ford last year in the blocking game. Dallas even asked him to take on interior defensive linemen on blocks, not only defensive ends, which is the most common assignment for tight ends. 

When you’re running a split flow block, for example, a tight end flows behind the line of scrimmage going one way while the play goes the opposite direction. Usually the tight end takes the end man at the line of scrimmage, typically a defensive end, edge rusher, or outside linebacker. But Spann-Ford was taking on defensive tackles in the run game at times in 2025.

He’s a huge part of what the Cowboys do. He has this contract well earned. Spann-Ford entered the 2026 season on a contract year, given that undrafted deals are three-year contracts. Now he’s locked in for the next three seasons as well, and Dallas gets ready to face the Giants with a paid man at tight end.