Stephen Jones on Cowboys docking Trevon Diggs' pay: 'We're paying the price too'

Before arriving in Oxnard for training camp, Trevon Diggs had $500,000 come out of his pocket. The Dallas Cowboys docked his pay for not getting enough offseason work done inside the team facilities. A move that surprised Diggs, Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones says they are “paying to price” alongside the cornerback.

“He certainly paid a price for not being here,” Jones said via 105.3 The Fan in Dallas. “But we’re paying a price too, because we felt like he’d might be further along had he done his rehab here. He may differ with that. But had he done his rehab here, we feel strongly that he might be further along. That’s in the best interest of the team and the organization that comes with getting a big contract, which he received.”

Diggs is going through a major injury recovery for the second consecutive year. After tearing his ACL in 2023, another long-term issue popped up with the same knee. He wound up only playing in 11 games last season and is not projected to be ready for the start of 2025.

Now, the Cowboys are going to be thin at the cornerback position moving forward. Alongside Diggs, third-round draft pick Shavon Revel is working his way back from a torn ACL he suffered in college. Losing Caelen Carson for the next four to six weeks does not help the cause either.

Jones, alongside owner/general manager Jerry, has not been afraid to voice frustrations over Diggs not being further along in his recovery. At the same time, Jones does admit this is something they will continue to do with every play out there, not just him.

“One thing we can do, which we will continue to do is put in every player’s contract, especially guys that we pay significant amounts of money, we expect leadership and we expect them to be here,” Jones said. “Certainly, we addressed that with Diggs.”

Diggs has played in 58 games throughout his five-year career. Two Pro Bowl campaigns are on the resume, as is a first-team All-Pro for his 2021 performances. A league-leading 11 interceptions were recorded alongside two pick-sixes. The Cowboys need him to get back to an elite level once fully healthy.

Four more years remain on the massive contract extension Diggs previously signed. Diggs will be a cap hit of just over $12.5 million during the 2025 season and will get as high as $23.3 million in 2027. Free agency does not pop up until 32 years old in 2029.