OXNARD, Calif. 鈥 Back in April, DaRon Bland and his representation hadn't started contract extension talks with the Cowboys and instead, he was focused on the season.
On Tuesday, Bland said that he and the Cowboys have had "some talks" about an extension and hopes to get something done before Dallas opens the season on September 4.
"I do, but I'm not here to talk about it really too much," Bland said when asked if he wants to get a deal done before the season. "But yea, hopefully."
The Cowboys have another decision to make with Bland aside from his extension: where he'll play on the field.
With so many injuries at the cornerback position, Bland has spent time on the outside and in the slot. The outside is where Bland was an All-Pro in 2023, but he's growing comfortable in his ability to play in either role.
"I feel like I'm pretty adjusted into it now鈥" Bland said. "It's really just gelling everything together both inside and outside and showing I can do both."
While Bland moving to the slot corner position would only slide him a few yards from his outside spot, it's still a very different area of the field and comes with it's own set of challenges that he's had to adapt to.
"I would say a little bit because there's some different things you've got to watch on the inside versus the outside," Bland said. "The o-line and you tune into the pass at the same time."
Thankfully, Bland has had his fair share of reps against high quality opponents in practice. Brian Schottenheimer has lined up CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens all over the field, and Bland getting to work against them keeps him on his toes every rep.
"It never lets you get complacent," Bland said. "It always gives you something to work on, because every day there's something to work on. So going against guys like that, you can never sit back."
Even with Bland being the likely option at slot corner especially when Trevon Diggs and Shavon Revel return, there are rookies and young players alike that are vying for snaps at that role. Kemon Hall and Zion Childress are just two names at that position, although other rookies like Shemar James and Ajani Cornelius have stood out to Bland as well.
Across the board, his message to the younger players on the roster remains the same.
"Keep going," Bland said. "I was the guy that didn't have too many offers out of high school, I had one offer so I went to Sac State, played three years, and then went to Fresno [State] and didn't start until four games into the season. Just stuff like that, just keep going, you'll never know when your opportunity is going to come."
The opportunity that Bland hopes to come many more times in 2025 than it has in the past is sharing the field with Trevon Diggs, as injuries have limited the number of games both have been on the field.
"Always hopeful for both of us to be healthy first of all, and for both of us to show out on the field together. Can't wait until it happens." Bland said.
The Cowboys are certainly hoping that they can reunite on the field sooner rather than later.
