Lead
FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys announced they waived sixth-year cornerback Trevon Diggs on Tuesday, meaning the team will enter 2026 without the former All‑Pro on the roster. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer addressed the move at his weekly Wednesday press conference, saying the decision reflected multiple factors including on-field performance and adherence to team protocol. The timing followed reports that Diggs did not board the team flight back to Dallas after the Cowboys’ 30‑23 win over Washington on Christmas. Schottenheimer affirmed appreciation for Diggs’ contributions while stressing that the roster move resulted from a combination of issues.
Key Takeaways
- The Cowboys waived Trevon Diggs on Tuesday; the team will begin 2026 without the sixth‑year cornerback on the roster.
- Diggs was part of the Cowboys’ 30‑23 victory over the Commanders on Christmas; reports say he remained in Washington instead of returning on the team flight.
- Coach Schottenheimer described the decision as “a culmination of multiple factors,” citing performance and protocol adherence as considerations.
- Schottenheimer said he first learned Diggs would stay behind after the game when Diggs approached him in the locker room.
- The team will evaluate both internal options and outside additions at cornerback this offseason, naming Shavon Revel, Caelan Carson and Trikwese Bridges as contributors to watch.
- Schottenheimer emphasized no personal animus toward Diggs and publicly wished him well for the next stage of his career.
Background
Trevon Diggs entered the NFL as a high‑profile defensive back and became one of the more prominent corners on the Cowboys’ roster over six seasons. During his tenure he earned All‑Pro recognition and lined up regularly in the team’s secondary, making him a central figure in the Cowboys’ defensive plans. The NFL and modern team operations place a premium on roster cohesion and established travel and availability protocols; teams commonly expect players to travel together to maintain structure and medical support.
Coaching staffs weigh on‑field production alongside off‑field conduct when evaluating veteran players, especially late in contract cycles or as roster construction shifts. The Cowboys are balancing short‑term roster needs with longer‑term development, and their personnel moves this offseason will reflect depth, salary considerations and the availability of outside help in free agency or the draft. Schottenheimer’s public comments fit into a broader pattern in which teams selectively disclose the reasons behind roster moves while preserving personnel flexibility.
Main Event
At Wednesday’s press conference in Frisco, Schottenheimer framed the waiver as the result of several factors. He said performance and other unspecified elements were part of the evaluation, calling the decision a “culmination of multiple factors” while also praising Diggs’ past play for the organization. Schottenheimer repeatedly framed the choice as professional and procedural rather than personal.
The procedural element became focal after reports that Diggs elected to remain in Washington with family following the Cowboys’ 30‑23 win over the Commanders on Christmas, instead of returning on the team flight. Schottenheimer said the team has a standard protocol—barring a family emergency or similar exception—that the group travels together to and from games, and that the protocol was not followed in this instance.
Schottenheimer recounted that he first heard of Diggs’ decision in the locker room after the game when Diggs approached him. He acknowledged prior difficult conversations with Diggs over the course of his time in Dallas and said those exchanges contributed to their mutual understanding, not ill will. The coach emphasized he holds no grudges and publicly wished Diggs success as he continues his career elsewhere.
With Diggs off the roster, Schottenheimer said the Cowboys will assess their cornerback room in the offseason. He named Shavon Revel and Caelan Carson as players the staff likes and described Trikwese Bridges as a talented young player who still needs development and seasoning. The coach indicated the team will explore internal development and external acquisitions to address the vacancy.
Analysis & Implications
The immediate roster implication is straightforward: the Cowboys lose a veteran starter with an established track record and must reallocate snaps across the secondary for 2026. That shift increases the importance of younger corners already on the roster and raises the prospect the team will prioritize cornerback depth when evaluating free agents and draft targets. Salary‑cap and contract timing will shape which external options are realistic this offseason.
From a locker room and culture perspective, the incident highlights how adherence to team protocols factors into personnel decisions. NFL teams often treat travel, availability and communication as operational standards; deviations can influence coaching evaluations, especially when combined with on‑field concerns. Schottenheimer’s public framing—that this behavior was one of multiple factors—aims to balance personnel management with reputational fairness for the player and organization.
Strategically, losing a veteran cornerback can force defensive coordinators to adjust scheme and matchup planning. If the Cowboys cannot replace Diggs’ production in coverage through personnel alone, they may compensate with schematic changes—more zone coverage, additional safety help, or increased pressure packages—to reduce one‑on‑one exposure. Such adjustments can alter play‑calling and affect other position groups, including the pass rush and safety play.
In the market, Diggs’ status as a former All‑Pro means he should draw interest from other teams seeking proven coverage play—particularly clubs in need of experienced cornerback depth. For the Cowboys, the waiver creates both risk and opportunity: risk in losing an experienced defender, opportunity in reallocating resources to younger players and potential acquisitions that better fit the team’s current strategy and salary structure.
Comparison & Data
| Player | Role/Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trevon Diggs | Waived (sixth‑year CB) | Former All‑Pro; contributed as a tenured starting cornerback |
| Shavon Revel | Roster candidate | Recognized by coach as a player the staff likes; depth option |
| Caelan Carson | Roster candidate | Young option being evaluated for larger role |
| Trikwese Bridges | Developmental | Talented youth player noted as needing seasoning |
The table above summarizes the Cowboys’ immediate cornerback picture as described by the coaching staff. While Diggs provided veteran presence and proven coverage, Schottenheimer highlighted internal options who could absorb increased responsibility or be supplemented by outside additions during the offseason.
Reactions & Quotes
Schottenheimer gave a measured public explanation, balancing critique with praise for Diggs’ past contributions and making clear the decision was multifactorial.
“It was a culmination of multiple factors.”
Brian Schottenheimer, Dallas Cowboys head coach
He also emphasized the team’s travel protocol and when he first learned of the player’s decision to stay in Washington.
“We go up as a team, we come back as a team.”
Brian Schottenheimer, Dallas Cowboys head coach
Schottenheimer closed by reiterating his personal respect for Diggs and his desire for the player’s future success.
“I really do like Trevon. I want what’s best for him.”
Brian Schottenheimer, Dallas Cowboys head coach
Unconfirmed
- Reports that Diggs deliberately stayed in Washington instead of taking the team flight are based on media accounts and team comments but lack an independent, documented timeline from the player; the exact reasons for his decision remain unverified.
- The degree to which any single incident versus cumulative performance drove the waiver has not been fully disclosed; Schottenheimer stated multiple factors were involved but did not itemize them.
Bottom Line
The Cowboys’ decision to waive Trevon Diggs reconfigures their defensive backroom heading into the 2026 season and underscores how conduct and protocol compliance can weigh alongside on‑field results in personnel decisions. Schottenheimer framed the move as multifactorial while expressing respect for Diggs’ contributions and wishing him success, signaling the team’s desire to balance accountability with fairness.
Practically, Dallas will use the offseason to test internal options such as Shavon Revel, Caelan Carson and Trikwese Bridges while also evaluating external market opportunities to restore veteran coverage depth. For Diggs, the waiver closes this chapter in Dallas and makes him available to teams in need of an experienced cornerback; how quickly he lands and how teams assess the cumulative factors cited by Dallas will determine his next role.