The Dallas Cowboys made a franchise-shaking move, releasing cornerback Trevon Diggs and placing him on waivers on December 30, 2025. The expectation, per the information available, is that Diggs will clear waivers by December 31 at 3 p.m. If that happens, he can pick his next team immediately. For Dallas, this is a bold, calculated call that mixes money, risk, and timing. For the rest of the league, it opens a rare window to add a high-profile cornerback in his prime.

Why Dallas did it now: the non-playoff calculus

Context matters. The Cowboys are not a playoff team this season, and that changes every decision. When there is no January run to protect, front offices look forward. They examine salaries, roles, risk, and the locker room map for next year. In that light, a move that would have been unthinkable in September starts to make sense in late December.

According to the available source, the rationale boiled down to one line: “his cost versus his volatility.” Not age. Not effort. The team weighed what Diggs costs against how often his play swings high to low, and decided the math no longer worked for them right now.

“Is this about money or trust? Maybe both.”

Contract arc: a big extension and a rising cap hit

Diggs signed a five-year, $97 million extension with Dallas. That figure signals star value and long-term commitment. But deals evolve as cap hits grow and roster needs change. By 2028, when Diggs turns 30, his cap hit would reach $21 million. That is premium money for a cornerback, and it forces a team to be certain about fit and week-to-week reliability.

The source material also noted that his 2025 cap hit was described as “just” a certain amount, but the exact number was not visible in the transcript. Even without the precise figure, the arc is clear: a rising cost over time met a front office now focused on flexibility and future planning.

What the waiver process means

Waivers are a simple idea with big impact. When a player is waived, other teams get a chance to claim him in order. If no team claims him by the deadline, he becomes a free agent and can sign anywhere.

In Diggs’ case, he is expected to clear waivers by 3 p.m. on December 31. If that happens, he controls the next step. He and his camp can listen, choose the best football fit, and move fast. That freedom is powerful, especially for a high-profile corner who will draw interest based on upside alone.

“If he’s free tomorrow, watch the lines form fast.”

Cost vs. volatility: decoding the football fit

“Volatility” in a cornerback can mean swings: splash plays one week, tough coverage snaps the next. Some teams welcome that risk because big plays flip games. Others prefer steady, low-variance coverage that shrinks the field and limits explosives.

Dallas’ decision suggests the front office wants a different balance now. It does not label Diggs as a bad player. It signals that the team’s needs, scheme preferences, and budget priorities have shifted. Another club could view the same player and decide his playmaking is worth the ride, especially on a short-term deal or a structure that spreads risk.

The timing tells the story

The Cowboys’ status outside the playoff picture influenced the move. Teams in that spot often try to get out in front of the market, clean up cap planning, and make space for the next wave. Releasing a high-salary player at this stage also gives both sides clarity. Dallas can map its offseason board. Diggs can control his landing spot if he clears waivers.

It is not about giving up. It is about sequencing. A tough decision now may reduce noise later, when free agency and the draft take center stage.

“Moving on now only makes sense if there’s a plan.”

What happens next for Trevon Diggs

If Diggs clears waivers as expected, he can sign with any team. That opens options across the league. Some teams may see him as a missing piece for a secondary that needs an outside corner who challenges throws. Others may view him as a high-ceiling add if the contract terms fit their cap plan.

For Diggs, the key will be pairing with a defense that matches his strengths. Scheme fit, coaching trust, and clear role definition can turn volatility into value. A corner’s confidence and usage go hand in hand; the right match can stabilize performance and unlock production.

What this signals about Dallas

For the Cowboys, this decision is a message about identity and resource use. It hints at a shift toward steadier profiles in key spots, and a desire to align salary with week-to-week reliability. It also underscores the front office’s willingness to make hard calls even with big names involved.

In the months ahead, watch how Dallas reinvests the position. Do they target a different coverage style? Do they prefer value signings over a single big swing? No matter the exact approach, today’s move suggests the Cowboys want more control over variance on the back end and more flexibility on the books.

Bottom line

Releasing Trevon Diggs is a headline move with layers. It is about timing, money, and team-building philosophy. It is also about fit and trust. The Cowboys may have decided the cost-risk trade-off no longer worked for them. Another team may see the same player and decide the upside is worth it.

By 3 p.m. on December 31, we should know step one: claim or clear. After that, the next chapter becomes Diggs’ choice — and the NFL’s latest chase for a talented corner who can change a game in one snap.