JERRY Jones revealed that he declined to pay the $9 million amount to a Dallas Cowboys star as punishment.

The outspoken NFL owner gave his reasoning behind paying a Cowboys player less than the originally set contract number.

Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones recently opened up about docking a star player’s pay as punishment for not meeting the necessary criteria in a contractCredit: AP

Jones speaking to reporters during the team’s press conference following the 2025 NFL DraftCredit: AP

The Cowboys revealed that they enforced the de-escalator clause in star cornerback Trevon Diggs’ five-year, $95 million contract he signed in 2023.

The action lowered the two-time Pro Bowler’s base salary from $9 million to $8.5 million.

The reason? According to Jerry Jones, Diggs hasn’t rehabbed enough from injuries at the team’s facility over the years.

Diggs’ contract stipulates he participate in 84.375 percent of the offseason program at the team facility.

Jones, son, team executive Stephen Jones, shared that Diggs “decided to train in South Florida” which only led to the team’s ultimate decision.

“He didn’t earn it; he didn’t come,” Jones told reporters Tuesday.

“That’s in his contract that he doesn’t get that unless he’s going to be here. . . . Those are contractual things as Stephen said.

“It would be very detrimental to the team not to abide by the agreement.”

The Cowboys had the option of not enforcing the de-escalator clause.

But Dallas chose the latter option as Diggs is believed to be the first Cowboys player to see his base salary lowered for the reason.

Diggs tore his ACL in his left knee during practice in 2023.

And the 26-year-old has been rehabbing the same knee after surgery in January.

Jones criticized Diggs’ rehabbing away from the facility in 2023.

The longtime owner shared his continued expectation of Diggs to rehab with the team.

Diggs has missed 13 games over the past two seasons due to injuriesCredit: Getty

“We expect a player paid like Trevon to be here all the time. We expect him to be leading,” Jones said.

“That’s not new. That goes all the way back to Deion [Sanders].

“Deion was not necessarily given to come to the weight room. I explained to him that it meant a lot for him to be in there. . . . It needs to have some show with it.

“. … It’s important to have the right body language in every respect when you are one of those rare, rare financially paid and gifted players.

Diggs played in 11 games last season but is expected to miss the rest of the upcoming campaign over his latest injuryCredit: Getty

Diggs could miss the whole 2025 season with his latest injury.

The Cowboys have missed Diggs, who led the NFL in interceptions with 11 in 2021.

He’s played just 13 games over the past two seasons, while adding three interceptions.

Dallas will hope for contributions from Da’Ron Bland and company as they prepare for the 2025-26 season, which begins in September.