Dallas Cowboys Could Bench DaRon Bland to Avoid

The Dallas Cowboys may have a financial reason, as well as a football one, to take cornerback DaRon Bland off the field. According to analysis by ESPN's Bill Barnwell, Dallas would owe Bland $13 million in guaranteed money for 2027 if he suffers a significant injury this season. If he stays healthy, the team avoids that obligation, which gives the Cowboys an incentive to reduce his role once their other cornerbacks return.

Bland signed a four-year, $90 million extension last August, and Dallas restructured the deal in September by turning his $10.75 million base salary into a signing bonus. His $13 million for 2027 is guaranteed only for injury until it fully vests on the fifth league day of 2027, according to Spotrac's contract breakdown. Barnwell said it would hardly be surprising if the Cowboys took him out of the lineup once Cobie Durant and Joey Porter Jr. are healthy, in order to avoid triggering the guarantee.

His play has also made benching him a reasonable football decision. Bland has allowed a passer rating above 100 in coverage in each of the past three seasons, and this year's 126.2 is the worst of his career. Pro Football Focus gives him a 45.0 coverage grade, which ranks 92nd of 104 qualifying cornerbacks. He has one interception in 24 games dating back to the start of 2024, and Sports Illustrated notes he hasn't had one since Week 7 last season. In Thursday's game against Tampa Bay, he drew a holding penalty on an early drive and later dropped a would-be interception while Dallas trailed by eight. Barnwell put him on his Week 6 hot seat list, and ESPN's Ben Solak has urged the Cowboys to bench veterans on defense, with Bland in a competition for a starting boundary spot against Durant, Shavon Revel Jr. and Ameer Speed.

Dallas, which started the season 2-3, does not appear ready to act this Sunday. Reports say Bland will likely start at Green Bay, and Athlon's report says he is probably safe for one more week. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer has said roster changes are coming, and owner Jerry Jones has said he isn't very concerned about Bland. Bland could move back to the slot, but Caleb Downs has been the Cowboys' choice there, and analysts doubt Bland can handle that role again. Details come from Sports Illustrated, Tags: united states news