Dallas Cowboys Cornerback DaRon Bland Hopes for Extension Before Week 1

Micah Parsons isn’t the only Cowboys player angling for a new contract before the season starts. Cornerback DaRon Bland revealed that he and the team have had “some talks” about an extension and hopes it can be finalized before the 2025 opener.

“I do, but I'm not here to talk about it really too much,” Bland said. “But yeah, hopefully.”

Bland comes off an injury-shortened 2024 season where he played just seven games and didn’t record an interception, a stark contrast to his 2023 All-Pro campaign. That year, he led the league with nine interceptions and set an NFL record with five pick-sixes. Now in the final year of his contract, Bland is set to earn $5.346 million in base salary. Securing an extension would provide reassurance for both him and the team.

Bland also reflected on his journey to the NFL. “I was the guy that didn't have too many offers out of high school,” he said. “I had one offer, so I went to Sac State, played three years, and then went to Fresno and didn't start until four games into the season. Just stuff like that. Just keep going. You'll never know when your opportunity is going to come.”

The Cowboys recently locked up tight end Jake Ferguson with a new deal, proving that extensions can get done even with the Parsons situation still unresolved. Bland will be hoping his turn comes before Week 1.