This is a good time for the Dallas Cowboys to make moves for the future. It’s not just about extending the contract for All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons.
Three important players from the Cowboys’ 2022 draft class are ready to sign extensions. Tyler Smith, the first-round pick and Pro Bowl guard, has a fifth-year option for 2026 at a cost of $21.27 million. Tight end Jake Ferguson, the fourth-round pick, and cornerback DaRon Bland, the fifth-round pick, are heading into the last year of their rookie contracts.
The Cowboys made over $55 million in cap space for a reason, though it hasn’t yet led to signing any big-name free agents. They could use this money to extend all three players, as well as Parsons, who is in the final year of his rookie contract.
As mentioned several times before, extending Parsons would actually lower his salary cap hit for 2025.
Extensions for Smith, Ferguson, and Bland would increase their salary cap figures for 2025, but not by much. Smith went to North Crowley High School in Fort Worth, which is his hometown. He was a second-team All-Pro in 2023 and has been to the last two Pro Bowls.
Even though he has played for three seasons, he will turn 24 next month. He’s the ideal player to be the foundation of the offensive line now that Zack Martin has retired, just like they did with Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, and Martin before him.
At the end of last season, Smith appeared ready to take on the challenge of being the leader of the offensive line.
“In my mind, I think it just starts with maintaining that standard,” Smith said. “When I got here, from the film room to walkthroughs, I’ve seen how Tyron and Zack practice.
I’ve seen how they study. I have thought about how I can be the best leader I can be. How can I continue to improve the standard that they’ve set before me? It is something that I take to heart every day.”
Bland was an All-Pro in 2023 when he led the league with nine interceptions and set an NFL record for most returns for a touchdown in a season with five. Ferguson was a Pro Bowl injury replacement in 2023 after catching 71 passes for 761 yards and five touchdowns.
Dallas Cowboys players celebratesInjuries affected the 2024 seasons for both Ferguson and Bland
Bland missed 10 games after having surgery for a stress fracture in his left foot. After intercepting 14 passes in his first two seasons, he didn’t intercept any in seven games last season. Ferguson missed three games in 2024, finishing with 59 catches for 494 yards. Just as he was getting close to being fully healthy after a sprained MCL in his left knee in the season opener, he got a concussion in the 10th game, missing two more games.
Giving a player an extension before the final season of his contract was how the Cowboys used to operate, though it feels like a long time ago. Players like Smith, Frederick, Tyrone Crawford, Terence Newman, Jason Witten, Bradie James, Tony Romo, and DeMarcus Ware all signed extensions before they became free agents.
Back then, the Cowboys gave them six-, seven-, or even eight-year deals with larger guarantees. This approach helped them have salary cap flexibility, as they could restructure the deals each year if needed.
But those days are in the past, and now the Cowboys need to find a way to convince Smith, Ferguson, and Bland that Dallas is the right place for them to play for the long term.
Larger guarantees and slightly overpaying come with some risk, just as waiting carries its own risk, since it might cost more in the future
The recent extension signed by Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. averages $30 million per season in new money, which likely sets the maximum for a Bland contract. Three years ago, the Cowboys signed Trevon Diggs to a five-year, $97 million deal ($19 million per year).
Ferguson might be harder to project due to the injuries last season, but he plays tight end, a position that hasn’t seen as much of a salary increase as other positions.
Ja’Marr Chase (NFL)Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is now the highest-paid non-quarterback at $40.25 million
Cleveland Browns pass rusher Myles Garrett held that title for about a week at $40 million annually.
While Parsons has said he doesn’t need to be the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL, it’s clear his agent will aim for that. Last year, the Cowboys couldn’t sign receiver CeeDee Lamb until late in training camp and quarterback Dak Prescott just hours before the season opener.
Those deals made Lamb the second-highest-paid receiver and Prescott the highest-paid player in the league.
With Parsons, the Cowboys can control his contract until 2028 if they use the franchise tag. Parsons has said he wants to be a Cowboy for life. The Cowboys have stated their goal is to sign Parsons for the long term. Maybe they’ll reach that agreement sooner than many expect.
But if they use the franchise tag on Parsons, they won’t have one available for Smith, Ferguson, or Bland next March.
In a perfect situation, the Cowboys would sign all four players to extensions before the season starts, though recent trends suggest that won’t happen. Signing at least one or two of them would be a good start.
