The Dallas Cowboys, sitting at 1-1 in the early 2025 NFL season, are riding a wave of cautious optimism. After an offseason drowned in grim forecasts and skepticism, the Cowboys have emerged with a squad that—dare we say it—looks legitimately competitive. Their high-octane offense, capable of trading blows with the league’s elite, has fans buzzing. However, storm clouds are gathering on the defensive side, where cracks in the secondary could spark a seismic shift in Dallas’ roster. According to ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, that shift might involve a jaw-dropping trade of $97 million All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs.
The Cowboys’ defense, under new coordinator Matt Eberflus, is struggling to find its footing. Eberflus’ scheme, a stark departure from the systems run by predecessors Mike Zimmer and Dan Quinn, has left the unit looking disjointed. Nowhere is this more evident than in the secondary, which was exposed in a Week 2 shootout against the New York Giants. A fading Russell Wilson, of all quarterbacks, carved up Dallas for a staggering 450 passing yards, putting the Cowboys’ defensive backs in the crosshairs.
While the Cowboys escaped with a thrilling 40-37 overtime victory—thanks to a clutch interception by safety Donovan Wilson—the performance raised red flags. The secondary, particularly Diggs, became a lightning rod for criticism. ESPN analyst and former NFL MVP Cam Newton didn’t mince words on First Take on September 15: “Trevon Diggs, why are we always seeing you at the end of some really long, disastrous play for your team that’s a huge play for the other team? The Dallas pass defense needs to be addressed.”
Diggs, once heralded as one of the NFL’s premier cornerbacks, has had a rough start to 2025. According to Pro Football Focus, his 50.7 overall grade ranks him a dismal 109th out of 140 eligible cornerbacks. Even more alarming, Diggs leads the league in QB passer rating allowed (158.3), a stat that underscores his struggles in coverage. For a player with a $97 million contract and an All-Pro pedigree, these numbers are a glaring red flag.
Compounding concerns is Diggs’ injury history. The star cornerback has suffered season-ending injuries in two of the last three years, raising questions about his durability and long-term value. With the Cowboys’ secondary underperforming, the pressure is mounting, and a new face could soon change the equation.
Rookie cornerback Shavon Revel, a 2025 third-round pick, could be the key to unlocking a blockbuster move. Sidelined by injury early in the season, Revel has yet to showcase his potential, but the Cowboys are high on his upside. If Revel proves he can be a high-level NFL starter upon his return, Dallas might have a viable replacement for Diggs. Barnwell, in his September 19 column, floated the idea of a trade, writing: “Watch out for teams with new coordinators… Let’s say they find out they have a young cornerback who fits better as a zone corner than one or more of their incumbents do. Does that make someone such as Trevon Diggs a trade candidate? That is pure speculation, but it’s an example of the point.”
The Cowboys have already shown faith in their secondary’s future, locking up fellow All-Pro DaRon Bland with a 4-year, $90 million extension on August 31. With Bland anchoring one side and Revel potentially emerging as a star, Dallas might view Diggs as expendable—especially if a trade partner can be found.
Trading Diggs would be no small feat. His massive contract and injury concerns could deter potential suitors, but his All-Pro pedigree and playmaking ability might still command a hefty return. For a Cowboys team looking to balance its roster and shore up defensive weaknesses, moving Diggs could free up cap space and bring in assets to address other needs.
As the 2025 season unfolds, all eyes will be on Dallas’ secondary—and on Revel’s recovery. If the rookie proves he can handle the NFL stage, the Cowboys could pull off one of the most shocking trades in recent memory, sending their $97 million star packing. For now, it’s speculation, but in the high-stakes world of the NFL, no move is too bold for “America’s Team.”