In 2026, the Dallas Cowboys will reach a crucial decision when it comes to All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs: To keep or not to keep him. 

That’s because next year, the Cowboys could open $12.6 million by cutting him. My take? They’ve already made the decision they’re moving on. 

On Thursday, The Dallas Morning News reported the Cowboys will enforce a $500,000 de-escalator in Diggs’ contract that required him to participate in 84% of the team’s offseason program. Diggs spent most of the offseason in Miami away from the Cowboys while rehabbing from knee surgery. 

Diggs showed up to mandatory minicamp and is fully expected to be at training camp in Oxnard, California next week. However, the Cowboys’ decision likely relates to Jerry Jones’ open criticism of Diggs’ rehab process in 2024.

Earlier in the offseason, Jones said: ““If he will be very good and diligent as to his rehab process, then he’ll get back quicker, and he will arrive when he does get back, sounder than if he has not worked as hard, He’s more subject to injury. He’s learned that one time. 

The bottom line is this: The Cowboys don’t need to save the half million dollars. They also aren’t contractually obligated to enforce the class. They could’ve passed on it. The impact on the team’s salary cap or cash flow statement is minimal. This is about sending a message. Why else would Dallas do this? 

I understand wanting the player to rehab at the team’s facilities but considering one of the most criticized aspects of the franchise by Cowboys players is about the training staff and training room, I’m not bashing Diggs for trying to rehab by his own. Consider this data from earlier in the offseason: 

According to this year’s NFLPA report, only 72% of Cowboys players report that they receive enough one-on-one training treatment, ranking them 29 out of 32 teams. 60% of players feel they have enough full-time physical therapists, a rank of 32 out of 32.

Diggs’ relationship with the Cowboys has clearly declined lately. Earlier this offseason, I wrote about how the end could be near soon. The reasoning was pretty simple, and I outlined a quick timeline:

• Jerry Jones publicly criticizes Diggs’ rehab.
• Diggs releases a “documentary” of his rehab in 2024 
• Diggs skips OTAs rehab
• $500,000 de-escalator information surfaces
• This week, the above was enforced

With DaRon Bland on deck for a new deal very soon, I would be surprised if Diggs has a future in Dallas beyond 2025. This absolutely looks like a last dance between the All-Pro cornerback and the team that drafted him in 2020. 

Oh, well.