​The Dallas Cowboys have long hunted for an athletic complementary tight end to pair with their traditional Y tight end, a quest that stretches from the Bill Parcells era to today’s Schottenheimer-led era. They’ve repeatedly pursued a dynamic move tight end who can stretch the field and create mismatches, hoping to find the perfect yin to TE1’s yang. Over the years, Dallas has brought in a host of hopefuls—Martellus Bennett, James Hanna, Rico Gathers, Blake Jarwin, Gavin Escobar, John Stephens Jr., and even Luke Schoonmaker in some respects—each bringing a blend of proven downfield ability or elite physical traits. The goal has always been a true dynamic TE2, capable of elevating the offense without sacrificing the stability of the starter, and the pursuit has continued despite the challenges.
Dallas has a knack for uncovering untapped talent after the draft, and the signing of Baylor tight end Michael Trigg this past April drew significant headlines. Widely regarded as a draftable playmaker who fit the Cowboys’ sought-after mold, Trigg appeared to be the type of weapon the franchise has been after since the Bush era—an athlete who could create explosive plays and mismatches for defenses. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 240 pounds, with 34-inch arms and an 84-inch wingspan, Trigg is a high-impact prospect whose athleticism reads like a highlight reel.
Questions about accountability and consistency led to an undrafted status, meaning Trigg must prove himself and clear several hurdles before earning a rotating role. Yet his rare skill set and the vision of him as a downfield mismatch option keep the door open for a breakout opportunity, should he commit to the path and seize the chance.
The role for Trigg is clear: he is envisioned as a pass-catching threat at multiple levels. Jake Ferguson, the starter at the traditional Y tight end spot, handles a broad load of duties and progress. Brevyn Spann-Ford is seen primarily as a blocking tight end who fits in-line, while Schoonmaker can move around but is still pursuing a clearly defined role. Trigg is a fit for the J, or split, role—a “big slot” type who frequently lines up wide. According to Dane Brugler, Trigg lined up detached on 72.3 percent of his Baylor snaps and led FBS at his position with 32 receptions of 10+ yards. That kind of explosiveness sounds tailor-made for the Cowboys’ schematics and would inject a precise, game-changing element into the offense.
Dallas’s tight end room remains a work in progress this season. Ferguson’s production has cooled from 2022, with a somewhat underwhelming year to his credit. Spann-Ford offers a solid blocking presence and looks to be a rising force in that facet of the game, though his game is still developing and somewhat one-dimensional. Schoonmaker, meanwhile, is in a position where he could move on in the near future if he doesn’t carve out a lasting role. Trigg has the tools to crack the three-man rotation and become a meaningful contributor, especially if he translates his college impact to the NFL level and embraces the scheme, the route concepts, and the off-ball requirements the Cowboys emphasize. His addition could provide the team with the modern, multi-level threat they have pursued, giving the offense a new catalyst for up-tempo, yard-after-catch opportunities and stretch-maps that breathe life into the passing game.