The Dallas Cowboys made what looked to be a very out-of-the-blue decision on Tuesday to release long-time corner and former All-Pro, Trevon Diggs.
Diggs was already considered a prime cut candidate for the offseason – a move that would save the Cowboys around $12.5 million in 2026 for a veteran player that has not played up to the hefty 5 year, $97 million extension he signed back in 2023.
However, the decision to part ways with him before the start of the offseason was a peculiar one that left many trying to do their research as to what may have prompted this early schism.
And on December 31st, head coach Brian Schottenheimer detailed the team’s reasoning behind letting their starting corner depart with just one game left in the regular season.
Diggs Release Down To ‘Multiple Factors’ – Schottenheimer
“Brian Schottenheimer says the first time former #Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs approached him about wanting to stay in Washington DC was after Dallas’ win against the Commanders on Christmas.” Tommy Yarish of DallasCowboys.com wrote in an X post on Wednesday.
“Schottenheimer added his protocol is that unless there is a family emergency, all players fly to and from games as a team, and that other players asked earlier in the week and were told the same thing. Schottenheimer emphasized it was not the only reason why the team chose to waive him, and it was “multiple factors” like performance and other elements. Said he “truly wish[es] [Diggs] nothing but the best” and told him so in their conversation yesterday.”
Per Todd Archer, Schottenheimer also humorously added, “I’m not the Grinch that stole Christmas”, and crucially noted that Diggs was one of multiple players who asked to stay in the nation’s capital after the game, none of whom had their requests granted.
Schottenheimer’s Story Lines Up With Earlier Reports
Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reported soon after Diggs’ release on Tuesday that his understanding of the rift between Diggs and the organization came down to the CB not being given permission to stay in Washington DC (where the two-time Pro Bowler has family) for the holidays, instead of flying back with the team.
“Players often ask for — and are usually granted — additional family time during the holidays if the schedule makes sense (Dallas played Thursday).” Schultz wrote in a post on X. “Schotty denied the request. Diggs again said he wanted to be with his family and that if he went back to Dallas, he’d just be flying right back on the first flight out, especially with players having several days off. The team vehemently denied his request again. And then today, the team released him.”
It seems like Diggs’ release was quite possibly a foregone conclusion prior to this incident over the holidays, given his lacklustre performances over the past few years and inability to stay reliably healthy and on the field, starting just 21 of 52 games since his last Pro Bowl year in 2022.
But if – as it seems it did – this event caused some issues between the corner and the staff, it figures that Jones and Schottenheimer acted early and gave Diggs a head start on finding a new team.
Cowboys Head Coach Sheds Light On Trevon Diggs Release