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Dallas Cowboys' DaRon Bland named most overpaid player
The All-Pro cornerback has struggled with injuries and declining performance since signing a lucrative extension.
Mar. 30, 2026 at 4:22am
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Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland, who led the NFL in interceptions and made the Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro in 2023, was recently named the team's most overpaid player by Bleacher Report. Despite signing a four-year, $90 million contract extension prior to the 2025 season, Bland has missed significant time due to injuries and struggled in coverage over the past two years, ranking just 44th among cornerbacks in 2022 according to Pro Football Focus.
Why it matters
The Cowboys' decision to give Bland such a large contract extension after just one standout season has backfired, as the team is now saddled with a high-priced player who has failed to live up to expectations. This situation highlights the risks teams take when handing out lucrative deals to players with limited track records of success.
The details
In 2023, Bland led the NFL in interceptions and was named to the Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro. This performance earned him a four-year, $90 million contract extension from the Cowboys prior to the 2025 season. However, Bland has since struggled with injuries and declining play, missing significant time and ranking just 44th among cornerbacks in 2022 according to Pro Football Focus. As a result, he was recently named the Cowboys' most overpaid player by Bleacher Report.
- Bland led the NFL in interceptions and made the Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro in 2023.
- Bland signed a four-year, $90 million contract extension with the Cowboys prior to the 2025 season.
- Bland has missed significant time due to injuries and struggled in coverage over the past two seasons.
The players
DaRon Bland
A cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys who led the NFL in interceptions and made the Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro in 2023, but has since struggled with injuries and declining performance.
Bleacher Report
A sports media outlet that recently named DaRon Bland the Dallas Cowboys' most overpaid player.
What they’re saying
“Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark were also strong candidates with output that doesn't align with $20-plus million AAVs, but Bland is the clear-cut winner. The 2022 fifth-round pick has one good season under his belt, but that was enough to earn him a four-year, $90 million deal.”
— Brad Gagnon, Bleacher Report Writer
What’s next
The Cowboys will hope that Bland can regain his 2023 form and justify his lucrative contract, but if his struggles continue, the team may have to consider moving on from the high-priced cornerback.
The takeaway
The DaRon Bland situation serves as a cautionary tale for NFL teams, highlighting the risks of handing out massive contracts to players with limited track records of success. The Cowboys' decision to extend Bland after just one standout season has backfired, and the team is now saddled with an underperforming, high-priced player.
