As the Dallas Cowboys commenced training camp with optimistic expectations and attention-grabbing inquiries, it wasn’t Micah Parsons’ deal that stirred the most controversy. Instead, it was Jerry Jones’ unexpected comments concerning cornerback Trevon Diggs.
While the Cowboys began camp in Oxnard, California, Jones seemed to express regret over the choice to extend Diggs’ contract last year. In addressing Parsons’ leadership and commitment, Jones contrasted that with Diggs’ recent actions.
When speaking to journalists, Jones stated: “We expect a player that’s paid like Trevon to be here all the time… to be leading,”
He was addressing inquiries about how Parsons’ active participation in training camp would influence discussions regarding his impending extension, but the dialogue quickly shifted as he brought up Diggs.
Jones went on to question the appropriateness of the timing for those contracts: “Frankly, should we have waited [to extend] Diggs and [Terence] Steele?”
That particular statement caught many by surprise. Diggs secured a five-year, $97 million extension with Dallas in 2023. Since that time, he has missed 21 games due to injuries. Most recently, he has been placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list while recovering from a significant knee injury.
To make matters more complicated, Diggs was fined $500,000 for not meeting the required 84.375 percent participation threshold in the Cowboys’ offseason program. This fine is a result of a de-escalator clause in his contract, which the team opted to activate.
