Talkin' Cowboys: "Last Diggs" – December 31, 2025

Episode Overview

In this New Year’s Eve episode, the Talkin’ Cowboys crew—Patrick "No C" Walker, Isaiah Stanback, Josh Rodriguez, and Kyle Yeomans—broadcast live from The Star in Frisco, TX, and dive deep into the bombshell news: the Dallas Cowboys’ unexpected release of cornerback Trevon Diggs. The panel breaks down the reasons behind Diggs's departure, debates his NFL future, and previews the upcoming Cowboys–Giants season finale. Expect passionate debate, detailed football insights, and bold predictions.

Main Theme

The episode centers on the sudden departure of Trevon Diggs from the Dallas Cowboys, exploring the buildup to his release, implications for player/team dynamics, and possible next steps for Diggs and the Cowboys secondary. The crew also discusses what lies ahead for the team in their upcoming matchup against the New York Giants.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Trevon Diggs Released: The Full Fallout

• Official News: Cowboys unexpectedly cut Trevon Diggs, placing him on waivers. (03:17)
• Confirmation: "He is placed on waivers which will clear at 3 o'clock central time." – Patrick (03:17)
• Culmination of Issues: Not just a single incident, but a “culmination of things.”
  • Initial rift began with rehab disputes after his knee injury. Diggs failed to do 85%+ of rehab at the team facility, resulting in a forfeited $500K bonus. (04:54)
  • Media issues: Joint interviews with Micah Parsons in Oxnard training camp “didn't help the relationship.”
  • Disgruntlement grew when Micah Parsons (his best friend) was traded, further deepening Diggs’s disconnect.
  • On-field issues: Diggs openly disagreed with defensive coordinator’s heavy zone usage, expressing preference for more man coverage.
• The 'Final Straw': After suffering a concussion at home—from a “TV entertainment pole”—Diggs was sidelined, activated late, and after playing two games, requested to remain in Maryland after a game for the holidays. He made this request only post-game, less than an hour before the team charter was to depart. The team denied the request, Diggs stayed behind anyway, and the Cowboys decided to move on. (08:07-09:13)
  • "It was a culmination of events and this just happened to be the straw that broke the camel's back." – Chris Beam (09:13)

2. Behind-the-Scenes Details

• Agent Change Already Made: Diggs hired David Mulugheta, who also represents the recently traded Micah Parsons and George Pickens (about to enter contract talks). (10:08-10:49)
• Speculation on Motivation and Future: Some panelists wonder if Diggs's moves are "an act of pettiness or at least just a chess move." (10:53)

3. Predicting Diggs’ NFL Future

• Waiver Scenarios: If a team claims Diggs, they take on his existing contract (~$400K for this year, with future obligations), but playoff teams may prefer to wait until he clears waivers and then sign him to a new deal. (12:29)
  • "He's hoping that a playoff team picks up his current contract; but he's also probably wishing upon a star right now that nobody touches him—so he can pick where he wants to go." – Isaiah Standback (13:13)
• Landing Spots: Potential destinations discussed—Green Bay (with Micah Parsons), Chicago (with ex-coach Al Harris), the Commanders, Raiders, Giants, Jets, Cardinals. (11:05-11:53)
• Readiness and Role: Uncertainty over whether Diggs would play in the regular season finale; more likely to suit up for Wild Card weekend if picked up by a contender. (14:00-14:12)
• Panel Divided:
  • Optimistic: Isaiah and Chris believe Diggs can still be "one of the better cornerbacks in the league in the right situation," especially as a supporting player on a loaded team. (35:09)
  • Skeptical: Kyle argues Diggs’ best days are behind him due to injuries, lack of commitment, and declining play—even suggesting, "I don't think he has anything left." (33:26)

4. Locker Room Culture & "Switch Players" Debate

• Turning It Off and On: Lively discussion on whether it’s common or acceptable for NFL players to “turn the switch off” when dissatisfied. Isaiah insists this is more prevalent than fans realize and sometimes successful players do just that. (23:48)
  • "Plenty of guys who turn the switch off and turn it on... Not every player is playing with the light switch on all the time." – Isaiah Standback (23:48)
  • “But how is that indicative of a good football player?” – Josh Rodriguez (23:37)
• Culture Fit and Player Management: Emphasize management's preference for consistency, but acknowledge that talent often buys some players second chances—even if they’re “light switch” types.

5. Comparisons and Past Players' Departures

• Reference to DeMarcus Lawrence’s Exit: Both sides debate whether leaving the Cowboys led to a career revival or if injuries and other factors played a larger role; broader comparison to other ex-Cowboys. (24:14 - 26:38)
• Examples of Success and Flop After Leaving Dallas: The panel highlights nuance: not every departure results in a resurgence, and circumstances vary.

6. Giants Game & Cowboys Defense Preview

• QB Vision with Isaiah Standback: A granular look at the Giants’ defensive schemes. Isaiah calls attention to:
  • Dexter Lawrence ("Sexy Dexy") as a disruptive nose guard.
  • Bobby Okereke (linebacker) and Abdul Carter (rookie DE) as major playmakers; Carter especially compared to Micah Parsons in motor and style (42:49).
    • "Every play he takes, every snap is balls to the wall." – Isaiah Standback (43:02)
• Giants defense: Multiple, unpredictable alignments, with heavy blitzing (expected at ~25% this week).
• Giants' rookie QB Jackson Dart expected to bring energy.

7. Bold Predictions: “Get Your Popcorn Ready”

• Segment Highlights: Josh lays out three cinematic “Popcorn Predictions” for the Giants game:
  1. Darty Supreme: Giants rookie QB Jackson Dart puts up a 140+ passer rating (very bold, panel skeptical).
  2. Eye on the Ball Carrier: Malik Davis rushes for back-to-back 100+ yard games (more buy-in from the crew).
  3. Wolves of Wall Street: Cowboys narrowly escape with a Butter Aubrey game-winning kick.
• Panel mostly likes the running game prediction; sees the Giants as feisty but outmatched.

8. Pick ‘Em & Season Record

• Call-in guest “Angel” joins the picks segment.
• Panel makes predictions for Week 18, with spirited trash talk over season-long standings.
• Final Cowboys–Giants score predictions:
  • Kyle: Cowboys 47 (40-burger warning!)
  • Isaiah: Cowboys 24-17
  • Josh: Cowboys 30, Giants 20-34
  • Chris: Cowboys 35-27

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Diggs' Departure:

  • "How you gonna get fired on your day off? ... the divorce was something a lot of us had foreseen coming for a while." – Patrick & Josh (03:46)
  • "It was a culmination of events, and this just happened to be the straw that broke the camel's back." – Chris Beam (09:13)
  • “He is of the persona that will decide to or not to. ...the boy could still play. He decided not to play here anymore.” – Isaiah Standback (24:46, 25:57)

• On NFL Player Motivation:

  • "There's a lot of guys in that locker room that do the same thing—turn it on, turn it off. ... Not every player's light switch is on all the time." – Isaiah Standback (23:48)

• On Risk vs. Talent:

  • "You don't like players who turn a light on or off. ...You want a guy who always keeps their light on." – Isaiah Standback (15:28)

• On Diggs’ Future:

  • "Somebody's going to say: 'That's a former All Pro, we can fix him.'" – Chris Beam (20:59)
  • "He doesn't want to be the guy. He wants to be another guy, a part of a lot of other guys." – Isaiah Standback (21:27)
  • “If he gets an interception in the playoffs, that would be more than he had all season with this DC.” – Chris Beam (22:17)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Trevon Diggs Released: News & Reaction – 03:17–10:49
• Motivation, Locker Room Dynamics, "Switch Players" – 15:28–26:38
• Future Destinations & Waiver Discussion – 11:05–14:12
• Comparisons: D-Law & Past Departures – 24:14–26:38
• Giants Defense Deep Dive (QB Vision) – 39:04–44:17
• Bold “Popcorn Predictions” Segment – 49:53–53:53
• Picks Segment & Score Predictions – 54:00–58:26

Tone and Flow

• The episode is fast-paced, irreverent, and lively—true to the “Talkin’ Cowboys” brand. Panelists bounce debates between football geekery, hard truths about player motivation, and fan-centric optimism. Friendly ribbing and pointed disagreements are the norm, but always underpinned by deep knowledge and mutual respect.

Summary Takeaway

This episode is a must-listen for any Cowboys fan eager for authentic insight into one of the most dramatic roster shakeups in recent Dallas history. The debate around Trevon Diggs’s exit is as much about football as it is about culture and character—and as always, these Cowboys pull no punches with each other or the franchise they cover. On to the Giants, and on to 2026.