The Dallas Cowboys suffered a slew of injuries on their way to an unfortunate 7-10 record last season. Two key injuries came from the cornerback position with Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland missing time.
In response, Dallas brought in talented third-round steal Shavon Revel, a cornerback from East Carolina, in the NFL Draft. He, of course, also happens to be recovering from knee surgery...
These concerns could warrant a lot of uncertainty for the Cowboys' secondary.
The situation surrounding Diggs, who signed a $97 million extension in 2023, is the most worrisome at the moment.
Sources tell CowboysCountry.com that he likely won't return to health until near the midway point of the 2025 season. Diggs underwent a chondral tissue graft surgery in January on his left knee after missing final three games of the 2024 season.
Being that this is Diggs' second major knee surgery in the last three seasons, his Cowboys career could have already seen its best days.
And those days could be numbered.
Especially after drafting Revel, USA TODAY believes Diggs is skating on thin ice in Dallas.
"He’s missed 21 games over the past two seasons and has long had a reputation for making big plays … but also surrendering them," Nate Davis writes.
"Diggs has four years remaining on a $97 million extension with no guarantees beyond 2025. And with highly capable CB Shavon Revel Jr. arriving in the third round – a torn ACL last year cost him a much earlier draft call – and the Cowboys about to issue another mega contract to DE Micah Parsons … well, worth wondering how much longer they can afford Diggs and/or fellow CB DaRon Bland, who could be a free agent next year."
There is a lot to unpack here.
First, there is obvious belief that Dallas would want to stay committed to Diggs after locking him into his lucrative long-term contract just two seasons ago.
However, it is also believable that the front office has grown frustrated with Diggs' mediocre play and limited availability since signing the new deal.
That frustration was noticed when owner Jerry Jones urged Diggs into a more focused and motivated rehab process this offseason - which hints that he may not have taken things seriously last time.
Revel's recovery will also be closely monitored, because if he makes it back onto the field first, many expect the long-armed rookie to get starting reps that otherwise would belong to the veteran Diggs.
If Revel shines in his first action as a pro, that could spell more impact on Diggs' timeline with the Cowboys. But of course, he'll return eventually, too, and could perform just as well to earn his spot back.
But with regards to the rest of the team's money? That shouldn't be used as a top excuse for his questionable future. Here's why.
As Diggs rehabs with the plan of playing in 2025, his contract has no guarantees beyond this season. So if Dallas wants to say goodbye, in whatever form, the team simply does so following 2025 ...
And saves $12 million.
By simply cutting him sooner? Dallas loses the player, while gaining just $7 million worth of cap.
This number does very little in helping expedite the eventual Micah Parsons extension, as Micah's deal actually creates more cap space for 2025. His deal could get done now, with or without any "help" from releasing Diggs...
The same effect goes for Bland's negotiations. One move won't make a game-changing amount of impact financially.
A trade? That is most unlikely as teams will not choose to pursue a non-healthy and slightly regressing $97 million cornerback in Diggs.
For now, the Cowboys' hope is Diggs can be dedicated to his rehab this summer and attempt to return to his All-Pro form from the 2021 season where he led the NFL in interceptions.
But the fact remains, Diggs enters a pivotal season in 2025 that has major implications on his future with the Dallas Cowboys.
