Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson has quickly risen as a true fan favorite after going from an exciting rookie with a handful of highlights into a legit weapon with 761 receiving yards in 2023.

Ferguson is a legit weapon and one of the Cowboys' best at the moment. He makes plays after the catch, provides reliable hands, and brings a special demeanor to the football field that has shown fans he cares as much as they do about winning.

Ahead of his third year in the league, Ferguson is already giving fans a reason to believe he's not slowing down by claiming he's got the ambitious goal to make the same jump he already took as a second-year player... but make it bigger. 

"Make that exact same jump and try to make it even bigger," Ferguson told reporters last Wednesday at the Reliant Home Run Derby. "In this league, you can't be complacent, you've got to just keep growing, you got to keep getting better and that's what I aim to do."

Ferguson's down-to-earth mentality is what made him take that sophomore leap and now he has a better understanding of the resources around him, which include his very teammates, who can always provide advice to the younger players on the roster.

"We got great vets in our facilities, talking to Brandon, Dak, they teach you how to take care of your body and take care of your mind," Ferguson adds. "And as you start to get older. I'm 25, I'm like oh I'm getting kind of old for a football player but I mean, you got to start making those strides and you got to get better every year."

Ferguson pointing out the mindset aspect of things is no small deal, as he opened up about having TE coach Lunda Wells call him afer a disappointing start to 2023, which helped Ferguson "out of that hole" in his own words back in September of last year.

Even though Jake claims he's getting old to be a football player, he's definitely more mature than his age would suggest and he shows it with a clear understanding of where he's at and the next steps he must take to keep improving.

That should only help his fellow teammates, as the tight end room has become one of the biggest strengths on the roster with young blood. Ferguson sharing his wisdom will be something players like Luke Schoonmaker, John Stephens Jr., among others could all tap into. 

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