The Cowboys have had to fend off suitors for Lunda Wells in recent offseasons, blocking an interview request as recently as last February after Dan Quinn expressed interest in bringing the well-respected tight ends coach to Washington.

Now he’s officially off the market for this hiring cycle, too. Wells will stay in Dallas for Brian Schottenheimer’s first year as head coach, according to the 41-year-old himself via a report from Patrik Walker of the team website.

Wells and the team have agreed on a contract extension that will keep him on staff, maintaining some continuity on the offensive side of the ball as Schottenheimer, the former offensive coordinator, continues to build his staff.

It was not immediately specified if Wells will return to the Cowboys as tight ends coach or perhaps, as some have proposed, in another capacity.

Wells had reportedly gotten some interest from the Bears and new head coach Ben Johnson; he visited with Chicago earlier in the week.

Wells was an assistant O-line coach with the Giants for several years before taking over their tight end room for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. He joined the Cowboys staff as tight ends coach in 2020, where he has overseen the development of Blake Jarwin, Dalton Schultz, and Jake Ferguson, who was named to the Pro Bowl in 2023.

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The Louisiana native has also been instrumental in the progress shown by 2023 second-round draft pick Luke Schoonmaker. As a rookie, Schoonmaker put up very meager stats over his first 17 games as a pro. In his second season, the Michigan man more than doubled his targets, more than tripled his catches, and saw a 270% increase in receiving yards.

This contract extension for Wells will bring him back to Dallas for a sixth season with the Cowboys.