FRISCO, Texas – The Cowboys and cornerback DaRon Bland agreed to a four-year, $92 million extension on Sunday, keeping one of the cornerstones of Dallas' secondary in the boat.
Getting an extension done before the season was something that Bland wanted, and he and the Cowboys had been in discussions during training camp in Oxnard. Now four days before the opener against Philadelphia, Bland gets what he wanted.
Bland, 26, is heading into his fourth season with the Cowboys and was going into the final year of his rookie contract. Now, he's the sixth-highest paid corner in the league with $23 million per year.
The 2024 season was up and down for Bland, who was recovering from stress fracture in his foot during training camp and played just seven games. He tallied 41 tackles, broke up five passes and forced a fumble.
It was 2023 where Bland exploded onto the scene, making NFL history with five interceptions returned for a touchdown, the most ever. He had nine interceptions on the year to go with 15 pass breakups and 69 tackles, becoming an All-Pro and Pro Bowler.
In his rookie season, Bland was an instant impact player with five interceptions and 54 tackles. He started in just eight games, but made his presence felt.
Now, Bland will wear a star on his helmet through the 2029 season. He's a versatile piece that can play in the slot and on the outside, something he's been doing a lot this offseason with injuries piling up in the cornerback room.
"I feel like I'm pretty adjusted into it now…" Bland said when asked about playing in the slot and outside. "It's really just gelling everything together both inside and outside and showing I can do both."
If Trevon Diggs is able to play on Thursday night against the Eagles, Bland will likely slide inside to the slot with Diggs and Kaiir Elam playing the outside. If Diggs can't go, it'll be Elam and Bland on the outside.
Either way, he's $92 million richer and the Cowboys secondary has a key piece locked up for the future.
