DaRon Bland's contract extension eliminates potential for friction with the Dallas Cowboys down the road

The Dallas Cowboys have agreed to terms with cornerback DaRon Bland on a four-year contract extension, per Ian Rapoport from NFL Network. The deal is worth $92 million and includes $50 million in guaranteed money.

At an average value per year of $23 million, the new deal makes Bland the sixth-highest paid cornerback in the NFL. New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner sits at the top of the market at $30.1 million per year.

Bland is entering his fourth year in the NFL and has a first-team All-Pro under his belt, which he earned in 2023 after breaking the league record for most pick-sixes in history.

"So well deserved," Brian Schottenheimer told reporters Monday. "He's a huge, huge piece for us. He has incredible ball skills and instincts."

Cowboys, Bland eliminate potential for friction on role

Bland getting extended takes care of a potential point of tension between the player and front office.

The All-Pro cornerback has suggested earlier in the offseason he would prefer to play outside instead of in the slot. Now that he's been paid his worth, Bland should be more than comfortable sliding inside, where his career started. Around the NFL, outside cornerbacks are compensated better than nickel cornerbacks. Now that finances are not a factor, it should not be a sticking point for Dallas and Bland.

The coaching staff is likely to ask him to play nickel as a result of Kaiir Elam's rise in training camp and Trevon Diggs' return from injury.

Who's next?

In the aftermath of the Micah Parsons trade, the Cowboys alluded at making multiple deals happen before the start of the season. With Bland taken care of, the next player on the radar for a big deal is left guard Tyler Smith.

He was recently named the second best interior offensive lineman in the NFL by scouts, coaches, and execs.

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