Speaking from the league meetings in West Palm Beach, team COO Stephen Jones said on Sunday that the Dallas Cowboys would like to keep DaRon Bland and Jake Ferguson for the foreseeable future.
He and team owner and general manager Jerry Jones look forward to sitting down with the two Cowboys stars and discussing their plans for the future along with a contract extension.
"Sure, those are all really good football players that we want to keep around,” Stephen said. “There are scenarios where we sit down and have a visit with them. You have to have two sides to get a negotiation done, and we'll certainly look at that with those guys."
Bland and Ferguson are both entering their fourth contract year and are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents in 2026. Jones made it clear they have every intent of keeping both of them.
Bland really came into his own in 2023 after picking off nine passes and had a whopping five touchdowns. He had an injury-riddled year in 2024, but proved to the team he is an outstanding ball-hawk who always has a nose for the football. He always seems to be in the right place at the right time to make the play.
Ferguson also starred in 2023 with 71 receptions for 761 yards and five touchdowns. Like many of the Cowboys skill players, his production took a hit last season when quarterback Dak Prescott went down for the season with any injury. Ferguson was also bothered by lingering injuries all season, but managed to play through them.
We will have to see if Jones was speaking off the cuff, or if he really intends on extending the two Cowboys prior to their deals expiring. Both players - each with Pro Bowl credentials - would command big contracts on the open market if Jones does not get something done in short order.
