The Dallas Cowboys stunned the NFL on December 30, 2025, by releasing cornerback Trevon Diggs with one regular-season game remaining. The move came just two years after Diggs signed a four-year, $97 million contract extension and marked a sudden end to his tenure in Dallas.
NFL insiders, including Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, described the decision as the result of “multiple factors accumulated over time.” Head coach Brian Schottenheimer echoed that assessment, pointing to a combination of on-field performance issues and off-field challenges.
Declining Performance After Injury
Diggs’ release followed a prolonged struggle to regain form after tearing his ACL in 2023. During the 2025 season, he appeared in just eight games, recording 25 tackles with no interceptions or passes defended. Quarterbacks targeting him posted near-perfect passer ratings, while Dallas finished the year with one of the league’s weakest defensive records in points allowed.
Trevon Diggs was about to take his kids to Dave & Busters when he found out the Packers claimed him on waivers.
Quickly reached out to Micah Parsons & caught a flight to Appleton. He got in around 9 last night.
Diggs said he can play Sunday, if that’s what Packers want. pic.twitter.com/9ZVZUwfQrr
— weston hodkiewicz (@WesHod) January 1, 2026According to reports from ESPN and CBS Sports, Diggs’ return from injured reserve was delayed due to inconsistent practice habits and difficulty adjusting to a zone-heavy defensive scheme. Coaches reportedly grew frustrated with his execution and adherence to assignments.
Off-Field Friction Adds Pressure
Tensions extended beyond the field. Earlier in the year, the Cowboys fined Diggs for conducting part of his rehabilitation away from team facilities. He also missed time following a concussion sustained in October, an incident Diggs later said occurred during a household accident. While online speculation circulated widely, team sources focused on availability and communication concerns rather than unverified rumours.
Read: NFL Week 18 Preview: Playoff Stakes Rise as Contenders Show Cracks
The situation escalated after Dallas’ Christmas-period win over the Washington Commanders. Diggs, a Maryland native, requested permission to remain in the area to spend time with family. The request was denied, but Diggs stayed behind regardless. Subsequent social media posts confirmed his absence from team travel, prompting internal questions about compliance with team protocols.
Trevon Diggs posted a thank you to Cowboys fans on social media after his release from Dallas on Tuesday 🤝 pic.twitter.com/jF8PSpIhoe
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) December 31, 2025Why the Cowboys Acted Immediately
From a financial standpoint, Dallas could have waited until the offseason to manage salary-cap implications more quietly. Instead, the organization chose to act immediately, signaling that the cumulative issues—injury-related decline, scheme fit, and disciplinary concerns—outweighed contractual considerations.
Shortly after his release, Diggs was claimed by the Green Bay Packers, offering him a chance to reset his career in a new environment. For the Cowboys, the move closed a chapter that once promised defensive stardom but ultimately fell short of expectations.
The decision underscores a broader reality in the NFL: talent alone is not enough. Availability, consistency, and trust remain decisive factors in roster management, even for former All-Pros.
