As the saying goes, “New year, new me.” It’s timely news for new Green Bay Packers cornerback Trevon Diggs, who was claimed off waivers Wednesday after being released by the Dallas Cowboys on Tuesday.
“I’m not after glory. I’m not after anything,” Diggs told reporters on New Year’s Day Thursday, before adding, “I’m after being a better version of myself, getting better every day and helping the team win.”
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The Cowboys re-signed Diggs to a five-year, $97 million contract two years after signing the two-time Pro Bowl contender.
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said Diggs’ release was the result of “a combination of factors,” one of which was that the Maryland native violated protocol by not flying back to Dallas with the team after a Christmas Day win over the Washington Commanders. Diggs had asked Schottenheimer if he could stay in the Washington area to visit family, but Schottenheimer said no to Diggs, just as he said he turned down other players’ requests to fly alone that week.
“It’s one of many factors,” Schottenheimer said Wednesday, according to ESPN. “It’s not the only factor. I’m not the Grinch who stole Christmas. I love Christmas. I love my family. But at the end of the day, we had a protocol that we were going to follow and the process was not followed.”
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Another factor Schottenheimer mentioned is Diggs’ performance. The 2020 second-round pick out of Alabama has amassed 17 interceptions in his first three seasons in the NFL, including a league-leading 11 as a first-team All-Pro in 2021, but has been intercepted just three times over the past three seasons.
This time around, the 27-year-old Diggs has played in eight games and currently has a perfect 158.3 target passer rating according to Pro Football Focus. He has been frustrated with the Cowboys’ defensive scheme this season, allowing 16 catches on 20 targets for 286 yards and three touchdowns without a single pass breakup or interception, according to PFF.
Despite the meager metrics, Diggs remains confident in CB1.
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“I still feel like I’m the best,” he said Thursday.
Injuries derailed a stellar start to his Cowboys career. Diggs tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during early practice in the 2023 season. That injury cost him much of that season.
He returned for the 2024 season but later missed time with a groin injury and was sidelined for another year while having another surgery on his left knee.
Diggs spent this past offseason rehabbing, including during training camp before Week 1 of his return, where Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons, one of Diggs’ close friends, criticized the Cowboys for mismanagement.
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Diggs suffered a concussion in an accident at home in October. A television he was trying to install fell on his head, NFL Network’s Jane Slater reported last month. That same month, he was placed on injured reserve due to a right knee injury that had persisted this fall.
He didn’t return until Week 16. At this point, the Cowboys had been eliminated from playoff contention. Diggs said Thursday he was healthy, joked he would use Taskrabbit for handyman work from now on and stressed he was excited to help a contender like the playoff Packers.
“It’s a great feeling,” Diggs said. “They believe in me. I believe in myself and I’m ready. It’s going to be fun.”
Dave and Buster’s trip fails and there’s a friend they can rely on
Diggs said he was taking his kids to Dave and Buster’s house when he got the call Wednesday that he was going to the Packers.
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The trip was put on hold, but the occasion was celebrated.
Diggs then reached out to Parsons, and the Cowboys traded Parsons to the Packers in late August after an infamous contract standoff.
“Yeah, I called him right away,” Diggs said of Parsons. “He’s super excited for me, super happy for me. We have a great relationship – our families, our moms, everyone is super close, so it’s all going great.”
Parsons, the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history and now a five-time Pro Bowler, had 12.5 sacks in Green Bay’s first 14 games, however, a torn ACL in Week 15 cut short his first season with the Packers.
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While the sack artist won’t be on the field with Diggs this season, they are now sharing a locker room again. Parsons gave Diggs a place to crash and a car to drive. He also gave the cornerbacks some insight into playing with the Packers.
“He told me this is work. It makes a big difference,” Diggs said. “He said I would really enjoy it and I would enjoy it. So far I’ve been enjoying it.
“Today was my first day on the court and I had a lot of fun, it’s great to be here.”
Diggs admits that blocking out all the noise around him has been a challenge lately. He’s focused on moving forward in the new year.
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“Of course, as long as they want me to stay here, I want to stay here,” he said. “I absolutely love it here. I’ve built relationships here and I would love to call this place home.”
