It’s safe to say DaRon Bland has fallen out of favor in many Dallas Cowboys circles. After giving up what PFF tracked as five receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown in Houston, he’s been a clear target of criticism this week. The 27-year-old cornerback hasn’t bounced back to his former Pro Bowl self, and back-to-back foot injuries are causing many to wonder if he will ever regain form.
With a fully healthy cornerback corps of Joey Porter, Cobie Durant and Shavon Revel on the horizon, some believe the Cowboys are position to move on from Bland if his play doesn’t improve. That line of thinking is understandable after recent struggles, but it’s far too overreactive and doesn’t serve the best interests of the Cowboys.
Even with his struggles, the
Cowboys are a better team with Bland on it. He may have lost a step and not be as effective outside in man coverage like he used to, but he’s still a capable veteran able to serve a variety of functions. Not to mention there’s also the simple fact Bland is too costly to cut any time soon.
The highest passer rating against among CB in NFL Week 4 pic.twitter.com/GYglE2XieP
— PFF (@PFF) October 6, 2026
Money matters
Bland’s current deal, a four-year, $90M extension, runs through 2029 averaging $14,652,699 in cap hits per year. It’s not chump change but it’s a pretty decent rate for a starting veteran cornerback these days. To cut or release him after this season the Cowboys would eat over $21,500,000 in dead money, which is more than the price to keep him. To cut or release him in 2028 they’d eat over $15M in dead money, which is again more than his cap hit if he stays.
Bland has an out after the season but it's not a very good out and comes with a lot of dead money. It’s in the Cowboys’ best interests to make Bland work, and not just for this season, for the next few seasons.
Slot solution
As a physical player who’s played in the slot before, it makes sense to try Bland in the nickel role again. His quickness will be put to the test as he faces a 180-degree release, but his long speed will be less of an issue. But even this isn't a clear and obvious solution. The Cowboys have been resistant to use him here and it might have something to do with his ability to plant and change direction.
With Caleb Downs their preference in the nickel and Durant a safe option as well, Bland might only be the third best option inside for a fully healthy Dallas secondary.
Field side CB
There’s also the field side of the secondary for Bland. If Porter primarily mans the boundary (short side of the field), Bland could be the primary field side cornerback who enjoys all the creature comforts of safety help.
Locking everyone into roles would allow offenses to dictate matchups but it would also prevent Cowboys defenders from getting exposed as often. Since some of Bland’s issues have been missteps, perhaps locking into a specialized role would help reduce errors such as these and let him and others focus on their strengths.
There’s a number of routes forward for Bland and the Cowboys and it’s in everyone’s best interests to see them through. Bland doesn’t need to be an All-Pro to be worth it, he just as to be a reliable and positive contributor as a top three cornerback on the Cowboys.
It’s time to put down the pitchforks and focus on figuring things out because Bland probably isn’t going anywhere and that’s good for everyone.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys’ $90M CB needs solutions because he’s not going anywhere
