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Cowboys secure DaRon Bland with $92M extension days after dealing Micah Parsons to Packers

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Cowboys secure DaRon Bland with M extension days after dealing Micah Parsons to Packers


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Just days after dealing All-Pro Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, the Dallas Cowboys dished out an extension to another defensive player. 

Cornerback DaRon Bland and the Cowboys agreed to a long-term extension worth $92 million over four seasons. The deal includes $50 million in guaranteed money, per multiple reports. 

Bland’s $23 million per season annual average value puts him among the highest-paid cornerbacks in the NFL, sitting sixth on that list behind some of the game’s best, like Denver Broncos star Patrick Surtain II and New York Jets top dog Sauce Gardner. 

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Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) and quarterback Dak Prescott (4) eat turkey legs after the Cowboys victory over the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium on Nov. 23, 2023. (Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports)

In just his second NFL season, Bland not only led the NFL in interceptions in 2023, but he also set the NFL record for the most pick-sixes in a season, recording five over his nine interceptions. 

Bland was only able to play in seven games last season, though, after suffering a stress fracture in his foot. He had to miss 10 games to start the season before coming back in November. 

COWBOYS LEGEND MICHAEL IRVIN BLASTS JERRY JONES OVER MICAH PARSONS TRADE

Bland tallied 29 solo tackles as well as a forced fumble in seven games. 

But, of course, Cowboys fans are still thinking about the Parsons trade, as the elite edge rusher’s trade request was actually fulfilled by owner and general manager Jerry Jones on Thursday. 

DaRon Bland makes interception against Commaders

Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) intercepts a pass intended for Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) during the second half at FedExField on Jan. 7, 2024. (Brad Mills/USA TODAY Sports)

The Cowboys received the Packers’ next two first-round picks, while also getting All-Pro defensive tackle Kenny Clark to fortify their run defense up the middle. Jones justified the trade during a news conference on Thursday, saying that the move to trade Parsons was based on “success of this team” now and into the future. 

“Not only do we immediately get a player, but those draft picks could get us top Pro Bowl-type players,” Jones said. 

While there has been great debate about Jones’ justification of the trade, Parsons no longer needing a giant extension – the Packers paid him $188 million over the next four seasons following the trade – Jones could allocate assets elsewhere. 

Bland has cemented himself as a reliable cornerback over his last three seasons when he’s on the field, and the Cowboys are not wasting time in this instance to get him locked in for the future. 

DaRon Bland runs on practice field

Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) during training camp at the River Ridge Fields on July 22, 2025. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

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If Bland didn’t sign a deal to start the year, he would’ve been an unrestricted free agent after the 2025 campaign. 

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Russell Wilson escalates feud with Sean Payton, labels Broncos coach ‘classless’

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Russell Wilson escalates feud with Sean Payton, labels Broncos coach ‘classless’


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Russell Wilson and Sean Payton spent just one NFL season together, but tension lingered after a rocky year.

And it appears the tension that built up from that tumultuous stretch continues to linger.

Wilson’s interview on the “Bussin’ With the Boys” podcast, recorded before last month’s Super Bowl between Seattle and New England, recently resurfaced. 

In the interview, Wilson doubled down on his October comment labeling Payton “classless,” saying he felt slighted by his former coach’s remarks.

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Head coach Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos talks to quarterback Russell Wilson on the sideline during an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium Aug. 11, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

“[When] you’ve been on the same side or this and that, and I got the same amount of rings as you got, meaning Sean, right?” said Wilson, who won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks as Payton did coaching for the New Orleans Saints. 

“I got a lot of respect for him as a play-caller, this and that, but to take a shot, I don’t like. I don’t think it’s necessary, you know, I mean, especially when I’m not even on your own team anymore. So, for me, there’s a point in time where you have to, I’ve realized, I’ve stayed quiet for so long. There’s a there’s a time and place where I’m not.

“I know who I am as a competitor, as a warrior, as a champion, too, and, you know, I’ve beaten Sean, too. You know, like we’ve been on the same place and the same thing. And so, it’s not a matter of disrespect. Just don’t disrespect me.”

Russell Wilson and Sean Payton speak on field

Sean Payton and Russell Wilson of the Denver Broncos during an a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Empower Field at Mile High Nov. 19, 2023, in Denver, Colo. (Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

After a rocky one-year stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024, Wilson joined the New York Giants last offseason. However, he was relegated to a backup role after just three games.

Rookie Jaxson Dart quickly showed promise once he had the chance to start, but his season was briefly derailed by injury. Jameis Winston — not Wilson — stepped in for Dart in a handful of games. Dart threw three touchdowns in a Week 7 matchup with the Broncos, nearly pulling off an upset in what was eventually a close loss.

After the game, Payton said Dart provided a “spark” to the Giants’ offense.

“I was talking to [Giants owner] John Mara not too long ago, and I said, ‘We were hoping that that change would have happened long after our game,'” Payton said.

Russell Wilson attempts to throw

The New York Giants’ Russell Wilson attempts to escape a sack by Dallas Cowboys defensive end James Houston (53) in the first half of a game Sept. 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.  (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Payton also said the Broncos would have faced less of a challenge had Wilson been under center.

“Classless … but not surprised,” Wilson responded in a social media post. “Didn’t realize you’re still bounty hunting 15+ years later though the media.”

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Despite last season’s struggles and chatter about his football future, Wilson does not appear ready to call it quits in 2026.

“I wanna play a few more years for sure,” he said. “I think, for me, I’ve always had the vision of getting to 40, at least. I think the game is different. Quarterbacks, we get hit. It’s not, you know, we get hit hard, but … there’s certain rules. I mean, back in the day when I started, bro, it was you just get [clobbered]. 

“I mean, so I feel like the game allows you to, you know, live a little longer, I guess. I feel healthy. I feel great. But I think, more than anything else is, do you love the game? Do you love studying? Do you love the passion for it all? Do you love the process? Do you love the practice? Do you love — everybody loves the winning part of it, but it’s process. There’s a journey that you got to be obsessed with. And that part I’m obsessed with.”

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Jayson Tatum, 10 months after Achilles injury, expected to return to Celtics Friday vs Mavericks: report

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Jayson Tatum, 10 months after Achilles injury, expected to return to Celtics Friday vs Mavericks: report


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Jayson Tatum’s return to an NBA court appears to be coming much sooner than anyone expected.  

The Boston Celtics superstar could be suiting up as early as Friday, which marks nearly 10 months since he tore an Achilles against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season, per ESPN

The Celtics will face Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks Friday at TD Garden, and Tatum is expected to be out there with his teammates for the first time since his injury. 

Tatum was officially listed as questionable on the Celtics’ injury report.

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Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum applauds from the bench in the second quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at TD Garden March 4, 2026. (Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe)

Brad Stevens, the Celtics’ president of basketball operations, noted that his star guard wouldn’t be cleared until he was definitely ready to play, both physically and mentally.

That’s especially the case considering the Celtics don’t need Tatum to rush back. They’re 41-21, which gives them the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. 

Tatum also noted he would want to return for a home game.

Boston has had players stepping up in the absence of Tatum, including his counterpart Jaylen Brown. Brown has taken on the scoring load, averaging 28.9 points per game with 7.2 rebounds and five assists. 

Derrick White has added 17.3 points per game, while doing work on the defensive end with 1.2 steals. 

Jayson Tatum looks on court

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum walks off the court after Game 1 of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks at TD Garden. (Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe)

And the Celtics have had Payton Pritchard (16.8 points, 5.3 assists) and Anfernee Simons (14.2 points) helping the team every night. 

The 28-year-old Tatum returning is nothing short of remarkable considering the average window for Achilles rehab is 9-12 months, and it’s usually on the later end of the timeline. 

As Tatum looks to return, he was well aware of how good his team has been in his absence. He has been spotted on the bench cheering his teammates on all season, and he wants to seamlessly work his way back into the rotation. 

Jayson Tatum looks on court

Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena Jan. 19, 2026, in Detroit. (Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

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“I’m just hyper aware of what’s going on. I think it would just stem from that,” he said, according to NBA.com. “Obviously, I know what I bring to the table and bring to the team. But I’m also aware that these guys have been playing extremely well.”

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Brazilian player Marques banned 12 games for sexism toward ref

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Brazilian player Marques banned 12 games for sexism toward ref


SAO PAULO — A Brazilian sports court said on Thursday it suspended a defender of top-flight club Red Bull Bragantino for 12 matches because of sexist remarks he made about a female referee after a Sao Paulo state league game.

Defender Gustavo Marques was also fined in 30,000 Brazilian reais ($5,700) for his comments about referee Daiane Muniz after Bragantino lost 2-1 to Sao Paulo in a Feb. 21 quarterfinal of a state-level tournament.

The suspension is valid for all competitions organized by the Sao Paulo state soccer federation, but does not stop Marques from playing national-level competitions like the Brazilian league or the Brazilian Cup.

“It was our dream to reach the semifinal or even the final, but she killed our game. I think the Sao Paulo state’s soccer federation has to look at matches of this importance and not give it to a woman,” Marques had said in a post-match interview to TNT Brazil. “It is no good for us to play against Sao Paulo, Palmeiras, Corinthians, and they put a woman to referee a match of this importance.”

Later he apologized on his social media channels.

“I was nervous and I said things I shouldn’t have. I talked to Daiane, apologized to her too. She had an assistant with her, I asked her for her forgiveness too for she is also a woman. I was wrong for saying it,” the 24-year-old defender said.

“My wife criticized what I said, my mom did too. I am being a man and a human being by coming here to ask forgiveness for what I said,” he added.

Neither Marques nor Bragantino commented on the ruling. Local media reported the club fined the defender 50% of his wages this month.



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