Cowboys extend another 'core' player after trading Micah Parsons

Dallas Cowboys running back Hunter Luepke. Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Cowboys extend contract of another 'core' player after trading Micah Parsons

By Jordan Sigler | Last updated Sep 3, 2025 8:45 AM ET

The Dallas Cowboys have been busy finalizing deals with a couple of key players after they traded defensive end Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers.

The decision to save $47 million per year on Parsons has freed up Dallas to extend the contracts of other players. On Sunday, the Cowboys extended All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland to a four-year extension worth $92 million.

On Wednesday, Dallas agreed to a two-year contract extension worth up to $7.5 million with $5 million guaranteed with RB/FB Hunter Luepke.

In explaining the Micah Parsons trade, Jerry Jones noted it freed up money for other core players. The #Cowboys have extended two in recent days — Daron Bland and now Hunter Luepke, who was eligible for a new deal because he was undrafted in 2023. He gets $5M fully guaranteed. https://t.co/SuxkfYZ9gp
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 3, 2025

As an undrafted agent initially signed by the Cowboys in 2023, Pelissero noted the extension before Luepke's third season is rare. However, there has been a trend to reward undrafted gems this summer. The Chicago Bears did a similar extension in August with backup quarterback Tyson Bagent.

Luepke has appeared in 33 games and started four during his first two seasons in Dallas. He's recorded 57 yards and one touchdown on 18 carries. The former North Dakota State standout has added 15 receptions for 129 yards.

Luepke is viewed as a Swiss Army Knife and has improved as a blocker since coming into the league. The extension is a wise move by Dallas after moving on from Parsons.

Jordan Sigler

Jordan Sigler is a sports writer with a decade of experience as a journalist, including his time as a breaking news/day cops reporter for the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. His sports coverage across the NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, NHL, and college football world has also been featured at ChiCitySports, Gridiron Heroics, Pro Football Network, and Athlon Sports. Based in Austin, Texas, Jordan graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism from Texas Tech University in 2014

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