Dallas Cowboys and Trevon Diggs agree to extension. What do we know about the deal?
As they try to build a better roster, the Cowboys can now count on the services of one of their more prolific players, after both parties agreed to an extension.
It would be fair to say that last season didn’t end the way that the Cowboys and their fans hoped. With that said, the franchise has now secured a key piece to its puzzle in the build-up to the coming campaign.
Cowboys & Trevon Diggs agree to an extension
With the Dallas Cowboys currently in California for their training camp, the focus has understandably turned to the roster and who’s coming and going. Following what was a disappointing end to their 2022-23 season, the Cowboys are looking to rebound and a major part of that has just been related to the status of one of their best players, Trevon Diggs. The cornerback is by far one of the team’s best defenders and it seems that the uncertainty around his future has now been settled. According to a team announcement on Tuesday, Diggs has now signed an extension in a deal that is said to be five years and worth $97 million.
To be clear, the deal also carries with it a reported max value of $104 million which means Diggs is now one of the highest-paid cornerbacks in the league. Not bad for a player who was entering the final year of his rookie deal. For perspective, the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback is Jaire Alexander of the Green Bay Packers who is on $21 million annually as of 2023. Alexander is followed by the Browns’ Denzel Ward who pockets $20.1 million a year, and then there’s New Orleans’ Marshon Lattimore who makes roughly $19.52 million. If we break it down, Diggs stands to earn approximately $19.4 million annually.
Trevon Diggs by the numbers
When he was selected by the Cowboys with the No. 51 overall pick in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, many acknowledged that he was talented relative to his Draft position, but few could have expected that just three years later, he would be one of the best in the league. Truth be told, the 24-year-old hit the ground running as he immediately established himself as one of the elite cornerbacks in the league. Following two consecutive Pro Bowl seasons (2021 and 2022), Diggs is also an All-Pro alumnus, having led the NFL in 2021 with 11 interceptions.
Yet, it’s got to be said that there are two sides to the coin where Diggs is concerned. On one hand, no cornerback has registered more interceptions - he’s got 17 - than Diggs since his arrival in the NFL. On the other, he’s allowed the most yards over the last three seasons with 2,362. In addition, he’s also tied for the third-most touchdowns conceded across that period with 16.
This is just the beginning for the Cowboys
While this is undoubtedly a good move for the Cowboys, the reality is there are quite a few other players whose contractual situations will need to be addressed in the near future. From quarterback Dak Prescott who has two years left on his deal, to CeeDee Lamb who has the same amount left on a rookie deal, the Cowboys’ front office is about to have its hands full. Also, let’s not forget Micah Parsons who has three years left on a rookie deal which includes a fifth-year option for 2025. That being said, it appears the franchise isn’t concerned for the moment, something that’s probably the result of the fact that they have $24.1 million in available cap space for the 2023 season (third most in the NFL) according to reports, and $8.87 million (23rd) currently for 2024.
“I actually feel really good about where we are, not only in the intermediate but also in the long term,” Cowboys COO and EVP Stephen Jones said on Tuesday. “We’re very motivated to sign these young guys.”