The Dallas Cowboys are using the cap space from the Micah Parsons trade to sign other defensive stars.
Dallas, of course, dealt Parsons to the Green Bay Packers in a blockbuster deal on Thursday. He subsequently signed a four-year, $186M extension. Per Patrik Walker of the team’s website, the Cowboys saved approximately $24M in cap space by trading the two-time first-team All-Pro.
Dallas put some of that to use on Sunday. The Cowboys and fourth-year cornerback DaRon Bland agreed to a four-year, $92M deal with $50M guaranteed (via NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport). That contract will make him the sixth-highest-paid player at his position, but is he worth that much?
Bland, 26, had one of the greatest years in NFL history in 2023, setting a league record for pick-sixes in a season (five in 17 regular-season games).
In 2024, his numbers dipped after suffering a stress fracture in his foot during training camp. The 2022 fifth-round pick had zero interceptions in seven games. According to Pro Football Reference, he allowed a 105.7 passer rating, the worst mark of his career.
Bland intercepted 14 passes in his first three seasons with Dallas, which may convince the team he’s not a one-hit wonder. Cowboys rookie head coach Brian Schottenheimer also explained that he plays a key role in their secondary.
“He’s a huge, huge piece for us,” the coach told the media Sunday. “He has incredible ball skills and instincts. … DaRon always has the ability to process things quickly.”
Still, rewarding a player for one outstanding year is risky for the Cowboys.
More importantly, why would they extend a player who is potentially declining instead of keeping Parsons, an exceptional talent? In four seasons with Dallas, the 12th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft amassed 52.5 sacks.
The Cowboys need Bland to play at a first-team All-Pro level like he did in 2023 this upcoming season. Otherwise, signing him will be a waste of one of the few positives from the Parsons trade.
