The Cowboys have locked in cornerback DaRon Bland with a four-year extension, a move that aligns with the club’s recent pattern of keeping key playmakers in-house. The deal was first reported by Jay Glazer of Fox and later confirmed by other outlets.
Bland, a 2022 fifth-round pick from Fresno State, was entering the final year of his rookie contract and was slated to earn $5.346 million in 2025. The four-year extension is described in reports as having a base value around $92 million, which would translate to a new-money average of about $23 million per season and would place Bland among the league’s top-paid cornerbacks. One figure cited in reporting put the five-year total value at $19.46 million, though several outlets have circulated the higher annual-value figure. The discrepancy underscores that some contract details may still be refining as the team finalizes the agreement.
Bland burst onto the scene with an All-Pro 2023, tallying nine interceptions and an NFL-record five pick-sixes in a single season. That standout performance helped position him as a critical piece of Dallas’s secondary, even as the Cowboys navigated decisions around other defensive backs.
Commentary from former Cowboys coach Jason Garrett highlighted the impact of the team’s ball-hawking defense, noting that Bland, Trevon Diggs, and their teammates fed off pressure from Micah Parsons, creating a high-leverage pass rush that forced throws opportunities for interceptions and returns.
Looking ahead, Bland’s extension could also shape expectations for the Cowboys’ run defense, as the secondary’s improved play could complement the front seven’s capabilities. The move signals the organization’s continued commitment to building a disruptive, turnover-generating defense around key contributors.
Summary and outlook:
– DaRon Bland signs a four-year extension with the Cowboys after a standout All-Pro season in 2023.
– Reported terms suggest a high average annual value, with some figures indicating a base value around $92 million, though other numbers have circulated.
– The deal reflects Dallas’s strategy of rewarding homegrown talent and preserving a top-tier secondary.
– Bland’s presence should bolster both pass defense and ball security, while the team’s overall defensive chemistry — including pressure from Micah Parsons — remains a focal point for continued improvement.
If you’re posting this on a site, you might add a reader poll on whether Bland’s extension changes how the Cowboys approach the rest of the defensive roster, along with a sidebar tracing Bland’s ball-hawking year and how it compares to the league’s best cornerbacks. Positive takeaway: this move emphasizes stability on the back end and signals confidence in the Cowboys’ direction for competing in a crowded division.