Cowboys at standstill with Parsons as Bland pursues deal

The Dallas Cowboys remain at a standstill with star linebacker Micah Parsons as the team moves toward the 2025 season, while cornerback DaRon Bland has begun to engage in contract discussions of his own. Parsons has not agreed to an extension and has lodged a trade request, creating a tense dynamic around a defense that could otherwise be one of the league’s most disruptive. Bland, who rose to Pro Bowl and All-Pro acclaim in 2023, indicated his camp has had talks on a new deal and expressed hope a resolution comes before the season starts.

Bland’s situation sits on a different timeline than Parsons’. After a breakout 2023 campaign in which he intercepted nine passes (returning five for touchdowns) and earned All-Pro honors, Bland missed most of 2024 with a foot injury but is entering the final year of his rookie contract. He signaled openness to a new contract, emphasizing a desire not to be a distraction as the team prepares for Week 1, while also acknowledging the value of a fresh deal for a player who has consistently shown playmaking ability in the secondary. His comments reflect a broader front-office effort to manage a roster increasingly focused on locking up core talent...