Tensions Rise Leading to Diggs’ Release
During the holiday season, tensions increased significantly for the Dallas Cowboys. An altercation regarding Christmas travel plans with head coach Brian Schottenheimer seems to have driven veteran cornerback Trevon Diggs to a breaking point, resulting in his release from the team on Tuesday.
While the exact cause of his dismissal hasn’t been confirmed, reports from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram indicated that the 27-year-old Diggs returned to Maryland with his family after the team’s victory over the Washington Commanders on Christmas Day, allegedly disobeying team orders.
Diggs, a two-time Pro Bowler, had initially requested to extend his time with family. However, Schottenheimer was said to have rejected the request outright, despite Diggs assuring him he would join the team on a later flight to Dallas. “We leave as a team and we come back as a team,” a source close to the situation shared with local media.
Reportedly, Diggs protested Schottenheimer’s decision by not boarding the team flight back to Dallas, opting instead to stay in Maryland through the holiday weekend.
On Wednesday, he spoke about his situation, explaining his choice to remain in Maryland was to visit family and attend a concert for a close friend’s performance. He maintained that he hadn’t lied about his whereabouts and even shared timestamps from social media to support his claims.
In addition, Cowboys writer Clarence Hill Jr. highlighted that many within the organization, including Schottenheimer, had left Dallas soon after the game, indicating a more widespread disconnect.
Diggs’ decision to stay home seemed to exacerbate an already strained relationship with the team. Since signing a five-year, $97 million extension ahead of the 2023 season, he has faced various challenges, including a string of injuries that limited him to just 19 games out of a possible 47. His performance on the field also showed signs of decline.
A rift appeared to widen earlier this offseason when Diggs chose to rehab a season-ending knee injury in Florida rather than at the team’s facilities. After missing at least 84 percent of the offseason program, the Cowboys enforced a $500,000 salary reduction for 2025 due to a clause in his contract.
In the aftermath of Diggs’ release, the Cowboys are facing a significant salary cap impact of $5.88 million in 2026, though they will save $12.5 million going into next season. Notably, the organization is not required to pay Diggs any guaranteed funds beyond 2025. Should he go unclaimed on waivers, he will probably enter the free agency market.
Interestingly, Diggs’ release occurred just hours after his brother, Stefon Diggs, a star receiver for the New England Patriots, was arrested on allegations of assaulting a female employee.
Schottenheimer is expected to address the media regarding Diggs’ release later on Wednesday.
