FRISCO, Texas, Dec. 31, 2025 The Trevon Diggs era in Dallas has come to an abrupt, unceremonious end.
The Cowboys waived the former All-Pro cornerback on Tuesday, cutting ties with a homegrown star just two years after signing him to a $97 million extension. The move, confirmed by NFL Network insiders Tom Pelissero and Jane Slater, caps a tumultuous season defined by inconsistent play and one of the strangest off-field injuries in recent memory.
Trevon Diggs just called me to tell me the Cowboys have released him, Slater reported via X (formerly Twitter). She added that while Diggs will miss his time in Dallas, he remains healthy and motivated to join a contender for the postseason.
The Fall from Grace
Life moves fast in the NFL. In July 2023, Diggs was on top of the world, inking a five-year extension fresh off back-to-back Pro Bowls and an 11-interception season that drew comparisons to Deion Sanders.
Today, he hits the waiver wire.
The decision to part ways wasn’t triggered by a single blown coverage but rather a culmination of multiple factors, according to Pelissero. Since securing his payday, Diggs has been a ghost on the field, appearing in just 21 games over the last three seasons. An ACL tear wiped out most of his 2023 campaign, but 2025 proved even more frustrating.
Diggs missed eight games this season while on injured reserve for a concussion an injury he later revealed occurred during an at-home accident when a TV-mount pole fell on his head. When he was on the field, the results were mixed. The ball-hawking skills that made him a household name were overshadowed by miscommunication breakdowns and a lingering knee issue.
Financial Fallout
For the Cowboys, this is a calculated business decision. Despite the headline-grabbing numbers of his 2023 extension, the deal’s structure offered Dallas an escape hatch.
Diggs was set to earn a $14.5 million base salary in 2026, but with zero guaranteed money remaining on the deal, the front office saw little reason to wait until the offseason. By cutting him now, they clear the books early and open a roster spot ahead of a potential playoff push, albeit without one of their most talented if inconsistent defenders.
What’s Next for Diggs?
The 27-year-old is now subject to waivers. If he clears, he becomes a free agent immediately, free to sign with any of the 31 other clubs.
Despite the rocky tape from this season, Diggs remains an intriguing lottery ticket. Cornerback depth is a luxury few playoff teams possess in January. A contender looking for a high-upside playmaker could take a flyer on Diggs, hoping that a change of scenery and a safe distance from TV mounting hardware can help him recapture his All-Pro form.
