Cowboys Tight End Luke Schoonmaker Faces Contract Year Pressure

Can the 2023 second-round pick step up and earn a new deal with the Dallas Cowboys?

Apr. 11, 2026 at 11:42am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a Dallas Cowboys tight end in action, with sharp, overlapping planes of color and form capturing the dynamic nature of the sport.A cubist interpretation of a Cowboys tight end's explosive movements on the field, reflecting the competitive dynamics within the team's tight end room.Dallas Today

As the Dallas Cowboys prepare for the 2026 NFL season, the spotlight is on tight end Luke Schoonmaker, who is entering a crucial contract year. Drafted in the second round in 2023, Schoonmaker's career has been defined by inconsistent playing time and the emergence of undrafted talents like Jake Ferguson and Brevyn Spann-Ford in the Cowboys' tight end room. With his future in Dallas uncertain, Schoonmaker must prove his worth this season to earn a new contract.

Why it matters

Schoonmaker's situation represents the broader trend in the NFL of undrafted players challenging high draft picks for playing time and roster spots. The Cowboys' tight end room is a microcosm of this dynamic, where Schoonmaker must navigate a competitive environment and prove his value to the team in order to secure his long-term future.

The details

Schoonmaker, a second-round pick in 2023, has never missed a regular-season game in his first three years with the Cowboys. However, he has often played second fiddle to Jake Ferguson, an undrafted tight end who has emerged as a reliable target for the Cowboys' offense. Now, the arrival of Brevyn Spann-Ford, another undrafted tight end with impressive size and athleticism, poses a new challenge for Schoonmaker's playing time and role within the team.

  • Schoonmaker was drafted by the Cowboys in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
  • Schoonmaker is entering the final year of his rookie contract in the 2026 season.

The players

Luke Schoonmaker

A tight end for the Dallas Cowboys who was drafted in the second round in 2023 and is entering a contract year in 2026.

Jake Ferguson

An undrafted tight end who has emerged as a reliable target for the Cowboys' offense, creating competition for Schoonmaker.

Brevyn Spann-Ford

An undrafted tight end with impressive size and athleticism who has joined the Cowboys, further increasing the competition in the tight end room.

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What’s next

The Cowboys will be closely monitoring Schoonmaker's performance during the 2026 season, as his future with the team could hinge on his ability to step up and solidify his role in the offense.

The takeaway

Schoonmaker's contract year presents an opportunity for the tight end to prove his worth and secure his long-term future with the Cowboys. His story is a testament to the NFL's evolving landscape, where undrafted players can challenge high draft picks and force teams to adapt their strategies to nurture diverse talent.