Cowboys Face Contract Decisions with 2022 Draft Class
Table of Contents
- Cowboys Face Contract Decisions with 2022 Draft Class
- Cowboys Face Contract Decisions with 2022 Draft Class
- Cowboys’ Contract Challenges: Key Players and Decisions
- Who Are the Cowboys’ Top Contract Priorities?
- what is the Current Contract Status of the 2022 Draft Class?
- Why are Contract Extensions Critically important for These Players?
- How Does Micah Parsons’ Contract Impact the Cowboys’ Strategy?
- What is the Cowboys’ Salary Cap situation?
- Are There Any Potential Cap Implications?
- Have Injuries Affected Any Players?
- What is Tyler Smith’s Role on the Team?
- What is DaRon bland’s impact?
- What is the outlook for Jake Ferguson?
- What are the Cowboys’ Past Contract extension Strategies?
- how might the Contracts of Other Players Influence Negotiations?
- What are the potential consequences of Delaying Contract Extensions?
- How Might the Franchise Tag Affect the Cowboys’ Decisions?
- Contract Extension Timeline and Possibilities
- Cowboys’ Contract Challenges: Key Players and Decisions
March 23, 2025
FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys are approaching a crucial period regarding contract extensions, not only for All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons but also for key members of their 2022 draft class.
Three players from the 2022 draft are eligible for extensions: Pro Bowl guard Tyler Smith, who had his fifth-year option for 2026 picked up at a cost of $21.27 million; tight end Jake Ferguson, a fourth-round pick; and cornerback DaRon Bland, a fifth-round pick. Ferguson and Bland are entering the final year of their rookie contracts.
The Cowboys have created more than $55 million in salary cap space, which could be used for extensions for these three players, and also Parsons, who is also entering the final year of his rookie deal.
An extension for Parsons would, in fact, decrease his impact against the 2025 salary cap.
Extensions for Smith, Ferguson, and Bland would increase those numbers for 2025, but not exorbitantly.
Smith, who attended North Crowley High School in fort Worth, was a Second Team All-Pro in 2023 and has been invited to the last two Pro Bowls. At just 24 years old, he is seen as a cornerstone for the offensive line, especially with zack martin’s retirement, similar to how Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, and Martin were previously.
Smith expressed his desire to step up as a leader on the line at the end of last season.
In my mind, I think that it only begins with maintaining that standard.When I got here,from the video study to the simulations,I have seen how they train Tyron and Zack. I have seen how they study. I have thought about how I can be the best leader I can be. How can I continue to raise the standard they imposed before me.It is indeed something that I carry in my heart every day.
Bland was an All-Pro in 2023, leading the league with nine interceptions and setting an NFL record for interception returns for touchdowns in a season with five. Ferguson was a Pro Bowl injury replacement in 2023 after recording 71 receptions for 761 yards and five touchdowns.
Injuries impacted the 2024 seasons for Ferguson and Bland. Bland missed 10 games due to surgery for a stress fracture in his left foot and did not record an interception in seven appearances. ferguson missed three games in 2024, finishing with 59 catches for 494 yards, after suffering a knee sprain early in the season and a concussion later on.
Offering extensions to players before their contract year was once common practice for the Cowboys.Players like Smith, Frederick, Tyrone Crawford, Terence newman, Jason Witten, Bradie James, Tony Romo, and DeMarcus Ware all signed extensions before approaching free agency.
The Cowboys used to sign players to six-,seven-,and eight-year deals,providing more guarantees and gaining salary cap flexibility through restructures. Though, those days are gone, and now the Cowboys must convince Smith, Ferguson, and Bland that Dallas is the right place for them long-term.
Greater guarantees and slightly higher pay may be necessary. There is a risk involved, but waiting could be even more costly. The Houston Texans’ recent extension with cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., averaging $30 million per season, likely sets the ceiling for Bland’s potential deal. Three years ago,the Cowboys signed Trevon Diggs for five seasons and $97 million ($19 million annually).
Ferguson’s projection might be affected by his injuries last season,and the tight end position hasn’t seen the same salary jumps as other positions.
cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase is now the highest-paid receiver in the league at $40.25 million per season. Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett briefly held the record for defensive players at $40 million annually.
While Parsons has said he doesn’t need to be the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL, his agent likely wants him to be. Last season, the Cowboys signed receiver CeeDee Lamb late in training camp and quarterback Dak Prescott hours before the regular season began, making Lamb the second-highest-paid receiver and Prescott the highest-paid player at the time.
The Cowboys can keep Parsons through the 2028 season using the franchise tag. Parsons has stated his goal is to stay with the Cowboys forever, and the Cowboys have expressed their desire to sign him long-term. Perhaps they can find common ground sooner than expected.
However, if the franchise tag is needed for Parsons, it won’t be available for Smith, Ferguson, or Bland next March.
Ideally, the Cowboys would extend all four players before the season starts, but recent history suggests that’s unlikely.
Signing at least one or two of them would be a positive step.
Cowboys Face Contract Decisions with 2022 Draft Class
March 23, 2025
Cowboys’ Contract Challenges: Key Players and Decisions
Teh Dallas Cowboys are navigating a critical period with several upcoming contract extensions, impacting both their present and future. Key among these are decisions regarding the 2022 draft class and star linebacker Micah Parsons. The team must strategically manage its salary cap to retain and reward key players while remaining competitive.
Who Are the Cowboys’ Top Contract Priorities?
The Cowboys have several important contract decisions to make, with the 2022 draft class and Micah Parsons at the forefront. The players in the 2022 draft are tyler Smith, Jake ferguson, and DaRon Bland, and they are all integral parts of the team’s success.
what is the Current Contract Status of the 2022 Draft Class?
Three players from the 2022 draft are eligible for contract extensions:
- Tyler Smith: The Cowboys have already picked up his fifth-year option for 2026, valued at $21.27 million.
- Jake Ferguson and DaRon Bland: Both are entering the final year of their rookie contracts.
Why are Contract Extensions Critically important for These Players?
These players are crucial to the Cowboys’ future. Tyler Smith is considered a cornerstone of the offensive line, DaRon Bland is a rising star in the secondary, and Jake Ferguson is an critically important player at the tight end position. Securing their talents long-term helps stabilize the team and maintain its competitiveness.
How Does Micah Parsons’ Contract Impact the Cowboys’ Strategy?
Micah Parsons is also entering the final year of his rookie deal.An extension with him would reduce his impact against the 2025 salary cap. The Cowboys have expressed their desire to sign him long-term, and Parsons has stated that he wants to remain with the Cowboys.
What is the Cowboys’ Salary Cap situation?
The Cowboys have created over $55 million in salary cap space, which provides them with the versatility to negotiate and offer contract extensions to multiple key players. The cap space can be used for both the 2022 draft players and micah Parsons.
Are There Any Potential Cap Implications?
Extensions for Smith, Ferguson, and Bland would slightly increase salary cap numbers for 2025. The Cowboys have historically utilized contract restructures to manage the cap.
Have Injuries Affected Any Players?
Injuries impacted the 2024 seasons for Ferguson and Bland.
- DaRon Bland: Missed 10 games due to a stress fracture in his left foot and did not record an interception in seven appearances
- jake Ferguson: Missed three games due to a knee sprain and a concussion.
What is Tyler Smith’s Role on the Team?
Tyler Smith, who was a Second Team All-Pro in 2023, is seen as a cornerstone for the offensive line, especially after Zack Martin’s retirement. He has expressed that he “carries in [his] heart every day” the desire to maintain the standard set by previous leaders on the line. Smith has been invited to two Pro Bowls.
What is DaRon bland’s impact?
DaRon Bland was an All-Pro in 2023, leading the league with nine interceptions and setting an NFL record with five interception returns for touchdowns in a season.
What is the outlook for Jake Ferguson?
Ferguson was a Pro Bowl injury replacement in 2023 after recording 71 receptions for 761 yards and five touchdowns. His projection might be affected by his injuries last season, and the tight end position hasn’t seen the same salary jumps as other positions.
What are the Cowboys’ Past Contract extension Strategies?
Historically,the Cowboys have often extended key players before they reached free agency. This includes players such as smith, Frederick, Crawford, Newman, Witten, James, Romo, and Ware.
The Cowboys used to sign players to long-term deals (six,seven,or eight years),providing more financial guarantees and greater flexibility with the salary cap. Tho, those days are gone, and now the Cowboys must convince Smith, Ferguson, and Bland that Dallas is the right place for them.
how might the Contracts of Other Players Influence Negotiations?
recent contracts for players at similar positions may set benchmarks for negotiations.
For exmaple, the Houston Texans’ recent extension with cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. sets a potential ceiling for DaRon Bland’s potential deal, averaging $30 million per season. In addition, the Cowboys signed receiver ceedee Lamb late in training camp and Dak Prescott hours before the regular season began, making Lamb the second-highest-paid receiver and Prescott the highest-paid player at the time.
What are the potential consequences of Delaying Contract Extensions?
Waiting to offer extensions coudl become more costly, as players’ value may increase. Though, there’s also the risk of overpaying.
How Might the Franchise Tag Affect the Cowboys’ Decisions?
The Cowboys can use the franchise tag for Parsons through the 2028 season if they cannot reach an agreement. Though, using the franchise tag for Parsons would mean it won’t be available for Smith, Ferguson, or Bland next March.
Contract Extension Timeline and Possibilities
Ideally, the Cowboys would extend all four players (Smith, Ferguson, Bland, and Parsons) before the season begins, but this level of action is unlikely given their history. Signing at least one or two of them would be a positive step.
Here is a summary table comparing contract situations of the key players:
| Player | Position | Contract Status | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Micah Parsons | Linebacker | entering final year of rookie deal | Extension would decrease 2025 cap impact; franchise tag possible, but limits options for others. |
| Tyler Smith | Guard | Fifth-year option picked up for 2026. | 2nd Team All-Pro, leader on the offensive line, cornerstone player. |
| daron Bland | Cornerback | Entering final year of rookie deal | All-Pro, led league in interceptions. |
| Jake Ferguson | Tight End | Entering final year of rookie deal | Pro Bowl injury replacement,injuries impacted 2024. |
