The biggest change this week came in 12 personnel, where Ferguson played only four of 11 snaps, with Brevyn Spann-Ford and Luke Schoonmaker
serving as the two primary tight ends in that personnel grouping. Ferguson was similarly limited in 12 personnel at times last season, but his snap rate rarely fell below 40%. He also played only 53. 1% of the snaps in single-tight-end sets on early downs, compared with 68% last season and 62. 9% last week. This left Ferguson running a route on only 63. 9% of the Cowboys’ passing plays, a lower rate than Flournoy, George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb. If the Cowboys continue scoring 35-plus points every week, the reduced playing time might not matter.
Spann-Ford elevated into the TE2 role over the offseason over Luke Schoonmaker, with Dallas' coaching staff pleased enough with his growth heading into his third year to not only give him the role, but three more years on his new extension. Like Flournoy, Spann-Ford has also been one of the team's better special teams players. So in the end, why now is fairly simple: Flournoy and Spann-Ford have done the big and little things well for the Cowboys in their respective roles, and Dallas hopes that can remain the same going forward.
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