FRISCO, Texas – The talk of the Cowboys' offseason has been largely centered around the looming extension of Micah Parsons, and rightfully so. At the same time, key players like DaRon Bland, Jake Ferguson and Tyler Smith are also heading into contract years.
All three have earned Pro Bowl nods for the Cowboys at some point in their young careers, but Ferguson and Bland are going into crucial seasons after injuries hindered their 2024 campaigns. In a perfect world, Dallas likely wants to bring back all three. That said, contract talks haven't started, and the focus is on the season ahead.
"No talks, just worried about the season right now." Bland said.
"Really just play my heart out, try to do my best out there and do whatever I can."
That said, deep down they all know that years like these are a little bit more important for their long-term future. It puts an extra emphasis on making sure they're in great shape, and with a new coaching staff led by Brian Schottenheimer, all on the same page.
"It's almost like every other year, maybe a little bit more, but I know what it takes…" Ferguson said. "Cutting out some of the bad things in my life whether it be food or whatever it may be, and really locking in and getting with Dak, making sure I'm clean on all the offense and with the new coaching staff, just making sure that turnover is seamless."
Ferguson dealt with a multitude of injuries last season that led to him not having the overall year he wanted, but doesn't want to make any excuses for his drop in play.
"Even if I didn't, that's not an excuse," Ferguson said. "If I'm out there, I've got to be producing and playing my best ball. If I'm not, I'm hurting the team. In my eyes if I'm playing, I'm 100%."
With both Zack Martin and Tyron Smith hanging up their cleats this offseason, they passed the torch to Tyler Smith to carry on the tradition of excellence on Dallas' offensive line, and he's ready to accept that responsibility.
"I've got to continue the culture, the standard is still the standard," Smith said. We've got big dreams this offseason, we need that Lombardi trophy, so we've got to do what we've got to do."
"I understand that I've really got to be a leader now. Those guys are gone, so that'll be another step."
Leadership and culture are two of the larger building blocks that Brian Schottenheimer is trying to put together as he starts his tenure as head coach of the Cowboys, and extensions for players like Bland, Ferguson and Smith alongside Parsons would be steps in the right direction.
Views of the Dallas Cowboys from the Reliant Home Run Derby at Dr Pepper Ballpark home of the Frisco Rough Riders in Frisco, Texas.
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 April 2025: Views of the Dallas Cowboys at the Reliant Home Run Derby at the Riders ballpark in Frisco, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
