Cowboys make stunning roster move, release Trevon Diggs days before season finale
The Dallas Cowboys waived cornerback Trevon Diggs ahead of their Week 18 finale against the New York Giants, ending an era with one of their best defenders.
The Dallas Cowboys have made a surprising late-season roster decision.
According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, the Cowboys are releasing Pro Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs, ending a six-year run with one of the most polarizing and productive defensive backs in franchise history just days before the team’s regular-season finale.
While the timing is unexpected, signs had pointed toward this outcome for months. Around the league, there has been a growing belief that 2025 would be Diggs’ final season in Dallas, even dating back to the offseason. The Cowboys ultimately decided not to wait.
Breaking: The Cowboys have released cornerback Trevon Diggs, sources told @toddarcher.
— ESPN (@espn) December 30, 2025
He goes through the waiver process and if unclaimed, he will be a free agent. pic.twitter.com/6b5oLHwsY5
Diggs’ impact in Dallas
Diggs’ legacy in Dallas is forever tied to his unforgettable 2021 season, when he led the NFL with 11 interceptions, the most by any player in over four decades. That performance earned him First-Team All-Pro honors and cemented his reputation as one of the league’s most dangerous ball-hawking cornerbacks.
The Cowboys rewarded Diggs with a five-year, $97 million extension ahead of the 2023 season, banking on him being a cornerstone of the defense for years to come.
Unfortunately for both Diggs and the Cowboys, injuries quickly became the defining storyline after the extension.
Diggs suffered a torn ACL early in the 2023 season, an injury that significantly altered his trajectory. Though he returned in 2024 and into 2025, he never fully recaptured the form that made him one of the league’s premier defensive playmakers. Lingering knee issues and inconsistent availability ultimately made his contract and roster spot difficult for Dallas to justify moving forward.
What’s next for Diggs?
Despite the release, Diggs is only 26 years old and has proven high-end production throughout his career, which could make him an intriguing option for teams looking to bolster their secondary ahead of the playoffs.
One potential landing spot to watch is the Chicago Bears, where Diggs has a prior relationship with Al Harris, who played a role in his development during his early years in Dallas.
There’s also a notable family connection worth monitoring. Diggs’ older brother, Stefon Diggs, is currently with the New England Patriots, though the star wide receiver is dealing with off-field legal news that surfaced earlier Tuesday, adding another layer to a busy day for the Diggs family. If he goes unclaimed, he will be a free agent.
End of an era in Dallas
Drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Alabama, Diggs transitioned from wide receiver to cornerback at the professional level and quickly became one of the most talked-about defensive players in the NFL.
His time in Dallas was defined by elite ball skills, high-risk coverage, game-changing turnovers, and, ultimately, injuries that prevented a full second act. Now, the Cowboys move forward without one of the most recognizable defensive players of the last decade, while Diggs looks for a fresh start elsewhere.
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