What happened: Ed Werder questioned whether Jerry Jones and the front office would permit coaching staff to bench $92 million cornerback DaRon Bland, or eventually sit him to guard against future injury guarantees. Reporter Joe Hoyt floated a five-man secondary alignment featuring Cobie Durant, 2026 11th overall pick Caleb Downs at nickel, Malik Hooker, and Jalen Thompson without Bland on the field.

Why it matters: Paying a massive deal is a sunk cost that cannot dictate Sunday snaps after Bland dropped a potential game-tying pick-six earlier this month. Durant recorded 40 tackles and three interceptions across 17 games in 2025, while Hooker added 52 tackles in 12 games last season, giving the defensive backfield proven options who deserve the reps based on current play rather than payroll.