The Dallas Cowboys have plenty of questions surrounding their defense heading into the 2026 season, but DaRon Bland is beginning to provide an encouraging answer to one of the biggest.
After battling foot problems that limited his effectiveness and availability over the past two seasons, Bland has looked noticeably different during training camp. The explosiveness, closing speed and confidence that helped him become one of the NFL’s most dangerous ball hawks in 2023 are beginning to show up again.
And if what Dallas is seeing in Oxnard carries over into the regular season, the “Pick-Six King” might finally be back.
Bland’s explosiveness has returned
The biggest concern surrounding Bland wasn’t necessarily whether he could still cover at a high level. It was whether his body would allow him to play the aggressive style that made him an All-Pro.
So far, the answer looks promising.
Bland has consistently made plays on the football during camp, showing explosive breaks and the ability to stay with receivers such as CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens and Ryan Flournoy. His closing speed has also resulted in multiple pass breakups during padded practices.
More importantly, Bland is trusting his surgically repaired foot again.
"I mean, [my foot is] a lot better now," Bland said. "I don't really feel any aches or pains, just a little soreness here and there, but nothing major."
That confidence could be just as important as his physical improvement. Playing cornerback requires reacting instantly, and hesitating can be the difference between breaking up a pass and getting burned down the sideline.
Bland doesn’t appear to be hesitating anymore.
Can Bland rediscover his 2023 form?
It’s difficult to discuss Bland without remembering his remarkable 2023 season.
He intercepted nine passes and returned five for touchdowns, setting an NFL single-season record for pick-sixes. Bland earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors while emerging as one of the league’s premier playmakers in the secondary.
The two seasons since have been much different.
Bland has recorded only one interception since his breakout campaign, with injuries limiting him to roughly one season’s worth of games over that two-year stretch.
That makes his performance this summer especially encouraging.
The Cowboys don’t need Bland to duplicate his 2023 season. Those are historic numbers that would be unreasonable to expect every season. What Dallas needs is the healthy, aggressive version of Bland capable of challenging receivers and creating turnovers.
His teammates are apparently noticing the difference as well.
"They can tell the difference between last year and this year," Bland said.
Bland could be crucial to the Cowboys’ secondary
A healthy Bland would also provide stability to a Dallas cornerback room that features plenty of young talent.
Instead of wondering whether Bland can regain his previous explosiveness, the Cowboys could enter the season with a proven veteran capable of leading the group while younger defensive backs continue developing.
Training camp performances don’t guarantee regular-season success, and Bland’s biggest challenge will be remaining healthy throughout a 17-game schedule.
But the early signs are difficult to ignore.
He’s moving better. He’s breaking on passes again. Most importantly, he’s playing with confidence in his foot.
Whether Bland can completely recreate the magic of 2023 remains to be seen. But after two frustrating seasons, the Cowboys are finally seeing flashes of the player who once terrorized opposing quarterbacks.
The Pick-Six King might not officially be back just yet.
But he’s starting to look a lot like him.
