Key Highlights
- Cowboys ready to cut ties with $97 million All-Pro Trevon Diggs.
- Diggs suffered a torn ACL and has struggled since his contract began in 2023.
- The Cowboys can waive Diggs by March, freeing up significant cap space.
- Young defensive backs have not provided the depth needed to replace Diggs.
Dallas Cowboys Ready to Cut Ties with $97 Million All-Pro Trevon Diggs
The Dallas Cowboys are facing a difficult decision as they prepare to part ways with their former high-profile signing, Trevon Diggs. In the summer of 2023, the team invested heavily in the talented cornerback by granting him a five-year, $97 million contract. However, injuries and subpar performance have overshadowed his potential, leading to the inevitable.
At the heart of this decision is Diggs’ injury history.
He tore his ACL just two games into the new contract and has not been the same player since. Statistics from Pro Football Reference show that when targeted by opposing quarterbacks, he allows a passer rating of 157.2, which is significantly worse than average.
Contract Details and Timeline
The Cowboys’ ability to waive Diggs hinges on his contract terms. The team only guaranteed $42 million, meaning they can release him by March without incurring the full financial burden. According to Mike Ginnitti, managing editor of Spotrac’s “The Spotrac Podcast,” this is a clear path forward:
“Trevon Diggs signed a nice contract a few years ago, but he has been injured each of the past three seasons, he’s been almost a zero productivity-wise over that span and he has earned $42 million for his time.
So, it just hasn’t worked.”
For the Cowboys, this presents an opportunity to free up $12.5 million in cap space by March. This is not only beneficial financially but also strategic as they prepare for their 2026 roster.
Impact on Team Defense and Depth
The release of Diggs will create a significant hole in the Cowboys’ secondary. While his contract situation makes his departure almost certain, finding a suitable replacement is another challenge. Young defensive backs like Shavon Revel, Caelen Carson, and Reddy Stewart have struggled to make an impact.
These players were brought in with high hopes, but their performances have not met expectations.
Revel, a third-round pick, is currently graded as the 111th best corner in the league according to Pro Football Focus. Carson and Stewart are yet to establish themselves as reliable starters, leaving Dallas with an uncertain future at cornerback.
For Jerry Jones, owner of the Cowboys, this decision marks a difficult but necessary step towards rebuilding his team’s defensive line-up. The loss of Diggs is a significant setback, but it also provides an opportunity to reassess and make strategic moves in free agency or through the draft.
Conclusion
The Dallas Cowboys’ decision to cut ties with Trevon Diggs is a stark reminder of the risks associated with high-profile contracts. While his potential was once evident, injuries have turned him into a liability on the field. As the team looks towards the future, they must focus on building a more balanced and reliable secondary that can support their star players and maintain competitive success.
