Locked On Cowboys – Trevon Diggs Waived Ahead of Week 18 (December 31, 2025)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode tackles the Dallas Cowboys’ shocking release of former All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs just before Week 18. Hosts Marcus Mosher and Landon McCool break down the timeline leading to Diggs’ departure, assess the implications for the Cowboys’ cornerback room, and provide crucial context for the team’s future moves. The second half of the show looks ahead to draft implications and rooting interests for Week 18, as well as trade strategies heading into the offseason.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Trevon Diggs Release: Context & Reaction

• Initial Reaction:
  Marcus leads with a somber tone, emphasizing the disappointment and sense of loss associated with Diggs’ career arc:
  “It really bums me out that we got here because this was somebody the Cowboys drafted in round two... turned into an All-Pro caliber player… It’s a bummer.” (02:49)
• Timeline Review (Landon):
  • Drafted in 2020.
  • Breakout 2021 with six consecutive games with interceptions.
  • Even better, more disciplined play in 2022.
  • Tore ACL late September 2023.
  • Return in 2024 was riddled with further injuries (groin, recurring knee issues), and required another surgery after a lackluster campaign.
  • An odd 2025 incident—a TV allegedly fell on his head leading to a concussion.
  • Long-term contract in August 2023 ($100 million/ ~$40M guaranteed) (04:57).
• Cowboys’ Early Contract Strategy:
  Landon underscores how Diggs’ early extension, though logical based on prior performance, is “another early signing... that did not work out, that kind of almost immediately failed.” (05:00)
• Fading Performance & Roster Value:
  The consensus is that Diggs hadn’t played good football in nearly two years, and the mounting injuries and “off-field nonsense” overshadowed his potential.

The Final Straw: Off-Field Conduct

• Incident Leading to Release:
  According to reports (shoutout to Nick Harris), after the Christmas Day Washington game, Diggs requested to stay in DC with family. The Cowboys deny such requests as a standard practice.
  “Diggs, after being told no, stayed anyway. He did not fly back with the team, and that was kind of the last straw.” (07:30)
• Discipline vs. Performance:
  Landon points out the connection between Diggs’ “freelancing” on the field and disregard for coaching off it:
  “He doesn't have the kind of respect for the coaches to like, listen to them in the first place... If he was playing well, he probably would have gotten away with this... but he’s not.” (08:49)
• Marcus’ Reflection:
  “This was one of the success stories of the Cowboys’ ability to draft and develop these guys. And for the way that the last couple years have went… it’s just a sad chapter.” (09:49)
• Concussion Mystery:
  Marcus brings up the oddness surrounding Diggs’ concussion report (“a TV hit him”) and how the team just wanted to “wash their hands of it.” (10:19)
• No Turning Back:
  Both hosts agree that the relationship was irreparably broken:
  Landon: “The relationship was broken and we’ve been talking about it being broken for, frankly, the whole season.” (11:41)

Cowboys’ Future at Cornerback: Immediate Outlook

• Current Personnel:
  Marcus lists the cornerback room for 2026:
  • DaRon Bland (recovering from foot surgery)
  • Kaylin Carson (healthy scratch at times)
  • Savion Ravel (rookie, “mostly down”)
  • Ready Stewart (mainly slot player)
• Coordinator Uncertainty:
  Landon: “You don’t really know who your defensive coordinator is going to be in 2026 and I think that’s going to matter.” (15:09)
• Roster Construction & Defensive Style:
  Debate over whether the Cowboys will look for more “man” corners or continue with a longer, physical archetype. The answer may shift with the next DC’s preferences (16:47).
• Draft and Free Agency Realities:
  The 2026 draft class is thin at CB and the projected free agent market is unexciting (“the top two names are Nahshon Wright and Chidobe Awuzie. That’s just, I thought that was really funny.” – Marcus, 17:17).
• Patchwork Approach Acceptable:
  Landon supports signing veteran “average NFL cornerbacks... it at least raises the floor to the point where you’re not concerned about getting murdered each week in the passing game.” (19:25)
• Rookie Corners Not a Quick Fix:
  Marcus: “A corner is historically one of the positions that takes the longest to develop... I don’t know if two rookie corners is the way to go.” (20:50)
  • They joke about Tennessee’s McCoy as a draft prospect (18:24), but agree veteran stop-gaps might be the only option.

Week 18 Rooting Guide & Draft Order Implications

• Playoff and Draft Stakes Explained:
  Cowboys’ draft position could range between #11-18, pending various Week 18 outcomes (see: 27:06–29:33).
• Games That Matter:
  Key matchups include Buccaneers/Panthers, Giants/Cowboys, Falcons/Saints, Bengals/Browns, Colts/Texans, Vikings/Packers (“there’s a chance the Packers bench a lot of starters”), Dolphins/Patriots, Lions/Bears, Ravens/Steelers (25:00–26:34).
• Rationale:
  With many teams around Dallas in the draft order likely to go defense/pass rush, one loss could be the difference between elite and second-tier prospects:
  “If you’re drafting at 11, you might get Reuben Bain, but at 18, you might get the fifth edge rusher off the board.” (27:06)
• Root for Ravens and Lions Wins:
  A Ravens win over the Steelers is highlighted; Detroit and Minnesota outcomes also crucial for draft slot (28:43).
• Draft Night Dread:
  Landon: “It could be a very brutal draft night watching pick after pick of defensive players, especially at the position you’re looking to draft, coming off the board right before you pick.” (28:02)

Trade-Back Odds in the Draft

• Listener Question:
  “What are the odds the Cowboys trade back with one of these picks?” (29:33)
• Marcus’ Take:
  Expects any trade-down would likely be with the Packers pick, not their presumably higher own pick, to accumulate day two assets (29:50).
• Rationale:
  Potentially picking up a third- or fourth-rounder for a running back or linebacker (30:18).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Landon on Diggs’ fall:
  “Where he’s come from… early 2023 to where we are today is just really disappointing. And it’s… team building, altering.” (05:00)
• Marcus, simply:
  “It’s just a bummer because when Diggs was healthy and right… he was one of the most fun players in the league.” (06:36)
• On the final straw:
  “If you’re just going to blatantly disobey orders from the head coach, we don’t need you on this team.” (07:49)
• Landon, unfiltered:
  “Some people are pitting this in some sort of, like, Eberflus or Diggs situation. Like, it’s both guys. Get them both out of here.” (09:11)
• On the future at CB:
  “Beggers can be choosers, that’s fine. But… you’re going into an offseason with a need at cornerback and there isn’t necessarily a great [class] coming in...” (16:52)
• Marcus looks for practical solutions:
  “You need guys that can come in here and just play because we’re talking about like Ready Stewart, Savon Revel and Kayn Carson could potentially be your cornerbacks for like all offseason...” (18:24)
• Draft realism:
  “It’s a weak-link system... there is a benefit to having a top-end CB1... but you have to have a nice floor, a good collection of talent to match up to multiple guys.” (19:25)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Trevon Diggs timeline and context: 02:49–06:36
• Incident leading to release: 07:30–08:49
• Off-field/On-field correlation & locker room discipline: 08:49–10:55
• Cowboys’ cornerback room analysis, future plan: 14:55–21:41
• Draft order and Week 18 rooting guide: 25:00–28:43
• Trade-back discussion: 29:33–30:18

Final Takeaways

• The release of Trevon Diggs marks a disappointing end for a cornerback who once symbolized the Cowboys’ draft and developmental success.
• Injuries, off-field discipline, and declining production all contributed to his abrupt exit—a classic example of high hopes dashed by real-world NFL unpredictability.
• The Cowboys now face pressing questions and few easy answers at cornerback, with a limited draft/free agent crop and little veteran depth.
• Week 18 rooting interests and draft-craft trade moves remain crucial as Dallas looks to rebound and reload for 2026.

Hosts:
Marcus Mosher: @Marcus_Mosher
Landon McCool: @McCoolBCB
Network: Locked On Podcast Network