Cowboys negotiating contract extension with cornerback DaRon Bland
Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland returned to Southern California on Monday after missing four days of practice while welcoming in his first child back home in Dallas. As he worked with the cornerbacks, Bland participated in individual drills, but watched from the sideline during team drills as he ramps back up into shape after a few days off.
Bland, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract, is one of a handful of players that the Cowboys are looking to get contract extensions done for while the team is at training camp. On Monday, Bland said his representation has been in communication with the team about getting a deal done.
“Definitely,” Bland said about wanting to get an extension with the team. “Dallas is always where I’ve wanted to be, so hopefully we get it done. There have been talks.”
A fifth-round draft pick in 2022, Bland led the team in interceptions (five) in his rookie year and followed it up with a record-setting second season in 2023 with more pick-sixes (five) in one year than any player in NFL history. In addition, he led the NFL in total interceptions on the year (nine).
Even though Bland missed the first 10 games in 2024 with a foot injury, he is still expected to land a sizable contract extension with the team. However, how he is viewed by the front office could be a big determining factor in getting a deal across the finish line.
As a rookie, Bland played slot cornerback, a position that demands much less money for top-end talent than an outside corner where Bland played in 2023 and 2024. This season, Bland could begin the year at either spot depending on the health of fellow cornerback Trevon Diggs. If the room is healthy in time for week one, Bland would most likely factor in as the starting slot cornerback.
Without a deal in hand, that would drastically impact the price tag for Bland. As a comparison, the New York Jets’ Sauce Gardner is the highest-paid cornerback by average annual salary at $30.1 million while the Chicago Bears’ Kyler Gordon is the highest-paid slot cornerback by average annual salary at $13.3 million.
“They can use me inside and out. My rookie year, that was my first time ever playing [slot] in my life,” Bland said. “It was a rough journey, but it was fun. Now, I’m trying to prove that I can do both, inside and out.”
If Bland demands a deal that views him as an outside cornerback, he could command a price tag in the range of $20-25 million. If the team insists on a slot cornerback status, he may decide to seek better compensation in free agency after the season.
