The Dallas Cowboys shocked the NFL world by waiving two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs on Tuesday, December 30—with one game left in the 2025 season. The 27-year-old, once a First-Team All-Pro, will hit waivers and become a free agent if unclaimed, free to join a playoff team.
The timing raised eyebrows, but a report from NFL insider Jordan Schultz shed light on a potential “final straw”: a travel-related dispute over Christmas.
New York Giants v Dallas Cowboys
The Reported Dispute
According to Schultz: After the Cowboys’ Christmas Day win over the Washington Commanders, Diggs—originally from the D.C. area—requested permission from head coach Brian Schottenheimer to stay in Washington for the holiday to be with family. Players often get such requests approved during holiday weeks, especially with days off following a Thursday game.
Schottenheimer denied it. Diggs reportedly pushed back, saying he’d just fly right back anyway. The request was denied again—and hours later, Diggs was released.
Schultz noted Diggs is healthy and ready to join a new team for the playoffs.
Conflicting Reports
ESPN’s Todd Archer countered, stating Diggs did not make the request before the trip—a standard practice. If true, it shifts sympathy toward the Cowboys’ side: protocol matters, especially for a player with a history of friction.
From a human perspective, though, Diggs’ desire to spend Christmas with family is relatable—especially playing near his hometown.
A Marriage That Was Already Over
Diggs’ Cowboys tenure has been turbulent the past two years: ACL tear, recurring knee issues, performance decline (no interceptions this season), rehab disputes (training in Florida vs. team facility), and on-field frustrations. The relationship was deteriorating long before this incident.
Whether the travel dispute was the true breaking point or not, a divorce was inevitable this offseason. Releasing him now saves Dallas ~$12M in 2026 cap space and allows both sides to move on early.
The bizarre nature of the reported “final straw”—a holiday travel request—adds an almost comical layer to an otherwise sour ending. The Cowboys tolerated plenty from Diggs; if this truly tipped the scales, it’s a wild way for a once-promising era to end.
Cowboys fans: Frustrating, bizarre, but perhaps addition by subtraction. The secondary needs a reset—and 2026 can’t come soon enough.