The Dallas Cowboys have cut $500,000 from the salary of Pro Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs as training camp began, due to a disagreement about his rehabilitation approach. Diggs, who has faced numerous injuries throughout his NFL career, was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list and chose to rehab in South Florida rather than at the Cowboys’ facility in Texas, sparking tension with the team’s management.

Contract Clause Triggers Pay Cut Following Missed Activities

The reduction in Diggs’ pay stems from a contract clause penalizing players who miss at least 84% of the team’s organized team activities (OTAs). Because Diggs was absent for the majority of these sessions, the Cowboys exercised their right to dock his salary by half a million dollars. Diggs expressed surprise and disappointment over the decision but remains hopeful about future incentives.

That kind of hurt my feelings. But it’s OK. Hopefully I make it back in incentives.

—Trevon Diggs, Pro Bowl Cornerback

Team Leadership Defends Decision, Emphasizes Importance of On-Site Rehab

Cowboys Executive Vice President Stephen Jones spoke on 105.3 The Fan, affirming the team’s stance and underlining the advantages of training alongside the team. He stressed that contracts for high-profile players include expectations for leadership and presence during crucial rehab periods. Jones highlighted the organization’s belief that Diggs would be in better condition had he rehabilitated with the team.

I think a player is much better off training with us than he is somewhere else. I just think the discipline to come in every day, do the work is there when they’re here. 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. Certainly we addressed that with Diggs,

—Stephen Jones, Executive Vice President, Dallas Cowboys

He certainly paid a price for not being here. 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.

—Stephen Jones, Executive Vice President, Dallas Cowboys

Ongoing Friction Signals Challenges Ahead for Player-Front Office Relations

The disagreement over Diggs’ recovery location has revealed growing tensions between the player and the Cowboys’ front office, particularly the Jones family, who maintain firm expectations about player conduct and rehab protocols. As training camp progresses, the situation remains unresolved, leaving Diggs to either reconcile with management or continue the uneasy dispute.