On August 31, 2025, the Dallas Cowboys improved their defense. They declared it with a four-year, $92 million contract extension with cornerback Daron Bland. Bland, a fifth-round pick from the 2022 NFL Draft, enters his third season as a member of the team. The deal was only recently concluded to help fund his path. This extension is indicative of the Cowboys’ plans to continue developing their own talent from within as they continue to build for the long term.
Bland, who celebrated his 26th birthday earlier this year, quickly proved himself over a shockingly effective rookie season. He is a ballhawk, as he led the Cowboys with five interceptions in 2022. His performance has certainly set the stage for what could be an even more formidable 2023 campaign. He made even bigger headlines by returning five of his league-best nine interceptions for touchdowns, an NFL record.
Sadly, his path hasn’t been easy. Last year, Bland dealt with adversity when a stress reaction in his left foot led to surgery. This injury prevented him from playing more than seven games and he failed to log any picks. Even with these challenges, the Cowboys were excited by the ways he could help their team.
The new contract is worth $50 million, including a signing bonus of $22 million. This sizeable investment in Bland demonstrates the franchise’s faith in his game-breaking talents. Coach Brian Schottenheimer praised Bland’s skills, stating,
“He does have incredible ball skills, but I also think he’s got incredible instincts.” – Coach Brian Schottenheimer
Schottenheimer expanded upon Bland’s football IQ, emphasizing his ability to process a play quickly and anticipate route concepts. Guys who have been around the league like my man Stephon Gilmore usually possess these qualities. Bland wields an unusual gift at an alarmingly young age.
“His ability to study the game and his knowledge of the game for a young player, relatively young, are uncanny. Like his ability to read splits and anticipate routes and things like that… DaRon‘s just always had the ability to process things very quickly.” – Coach Brian Schottenheimer
Bland’s extension is the latest step of a Cowboys offseason filled with sudden moves. It’s the second time they’ve signed a player from their 2022 draft class. Tight end Jake Ferguson just signed a contract extension earlier this July. He signed a four-year contract worth $52 million with $30 million guaranteed.
The Cowboys’ approach of consistently drafting and developing talent has been the most successful strategy in the league over the decades. Schottenheimer’s approach was clearly a prioritized focus within the organization.
“We’re a draft and develop team. We want to draft guys. We want to develop them… I think the cool thing when you look at the guys that you do that with is, usually they don’t change.” – Coach Brian Schottenheimer
Daron Bland recently got a new seven-month extension. Fast forward, and he is now poised to be a cornerstone of the Cowboys’ defense for the next decade. He is very calm and collected under pressure. His game-changing plays will continue to be a difference-maker on how far this team goes in this very tough league.
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