It's no secret that the Dallas Cowboys' 2025 campaign was filled with a myriad of disappointments. While head coach Brian Schottenheimer did a commendable job in his first year guiding America's Team, defensive struggles limited just how much the Cowboys could achieve. Now that Matt Eberflus is no longer the defensive coordinator, fans are focused on how Dallas can improve on that side of the ball this season.
Several Cowboys played a role in those defensive woes, including veteran cornerback DaRon Bland. The former Fresno State Bulldog raised expectations after strong performances in 2023 and 2024, leading to him signing a four-year, $92 million extension — including $50 million guaranteed — before the 2025 season began.
Despite the promise he showed before, it didn't take long for Cowboys fans to question if Bland's new deal was a mistake.
DaRon Bland's Extension Might Be a Huge Cowboys Mistake
While the 2025 season was played on the final year of his rookie deal, it's understandable if the Cowboys are concerned about Bland's outlook moving forward.
For starters, a nagging foot injury limited the 26-year-old CB to only 12 appearances, ultimately ending his season on the IR. Bland has since told ESPN's Todd Archer that his foot was bothering him throughout the campaign, and that he's due for surgery at some point next week.
Whether it was due to his foot or something else, Bland's performance didn't match the expectations that his $92 million extension brought to the table.
On 461 snaps in coverage, according to Pro Football Focus, Bland surrendered 52 catches on 77 targets (67.5 percent) for 670 yards, five touchdowns, and a 110.8 passer rating. He allowed a passer rating of 112.2 or higher in half his appearances, while the fact that he was targeted seven-plus times more often (seven games) than he wasn't (five) proves that opposing quarterbacks aren't afraid to throw the ball his way. It's safe to say that isn't the reputation a team wants its supposed CB1 to have.
Foot injuries can be tricky, and it'll be interesting to see how Bland's recovery goes. If he can return to his pre-injury form, he'll have a chance to be worth the $17.4 million cap hit and $13 million in cash he's slated to earn next season, per Spotrac. At the same time, a complete recovery isn't guaranteed, and there's a chance that Bland's injury concerns will bleed into training camp and next season.
Holding the sixth-highest average annual value among all of the NFL's CBs, per OverTheCap, Bland must find a way to become the star ballhawk that the Cowboys need him to be. Trevon Diggs' release last month positions Bland to be Dallas' elder statesmen in the cornerback room next season, as other CBs under contract — Shavon Revel Jr., Caelen Carson, and Trikweze Bridges — only have one year of experience under their belts.
So, unless the Cowboys sign or trade for another veteran corner, Bland will face even more pressure to bounce back next year. He has to, or else owner/general manager Jerry Jones might rethink his future in the Lone Star State. The Cowboys have an out for his contract after the 2026 season, as a trade or cut after June 1, 2027, would create $13 million in savings. That chunk of change is definitely enough to provide some food for thought.
What's done is done, though, and all Cowboys fans can do is look forward. Hopefully, Bland's foot fully recovers so that he can go back to being the reliable presence in Dallas' secondary that he once was.
Otherwise, he might not be long for America's Team.