As the Cowboys sign their last 2025 rookie, star CB Trevon Diggs clashes with the team over his rehab in July 2025. Will the drama derail their season?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Just as Cowboys Nation was celebrating the final piece of the 2025 rookie puzzle falling into place, a storm of discontent rumbled out of Frisco. Star cornerback Trevon Diggs is reportedly at odds with the organization over his injury rehab, creating a tense backdrop of veteran drama that contrasts sharply with the fresh-faced optimism of a newly signed draft class. With training camp just around the corner, the Cowboys are facing critical questions about leadership, health, and team unity.
Legendary coach Jimmy Johnson's 'No. 1 key' for the Cowboys: discipline and execution, noting that success will hinge on 'minimizing mistakes and maximizing the talent on the roster.'
The biggest story of the day revolves around Trevon Diggs. After two seasons marred by significant knee injuries, limiting him to just 13 games since his massive five-year, $97 million extension, tensions are reportedly boiling over. Owner Jerry Jones has publicly expressed his displeasure with Diggs' decision to rehab away from team facilities, and reports indicate the team has hit him where it hurts—reducing his salary for missing team workouts. This isn't just a minor disagreement; it's a public conflict between a cornerstone player and the front office, casting a major shadow over the defense's stability heading into the season.
In a welcome dose of positive news, the Cowboys officially locked up their entire 2025 draft class by signing second-round pick Donovan Ezeiruaku. The dominant pass rusher from Boston College inked a four-year, $10.1 million deal. Hailed as the nation's top defensive end with the Ted Hendricks Award, Ezeiruaku's collegiate stats are staggering: 16.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss in his final season alone. He's expected to provide an immediate boost to the pass rush, creating a potentially fearsome tandem opposite Micah Parsons and giving fans a reason to be excited about the future of the defense.
The conflicting news items feed directly into a larger narrative articulated by team columnist Mickey Spagnola and echoed by franchise legend Jimmy Johnson: it's time for a reset. Spagnola emphasized the need to 'start from scratch again,' focusing on the challenges of integrating players returning from injury and establishing new leadership. Johnson's advice to Mike McCarthy and OC Brian Schottenheimer was even more direct, centering on discipline and flawless execution. His words serve as a stark reminder that talent alone isn't enough; this team must eliminate the self-inflicted wounds that have plagued them in crucial moments.
While the front office deals with high-stakes drama, the team's social media channels are keeping things light. The Cowboys' official Instagram account shared a throwback photo featuring wide receiver Jalen Tolbert, celebrating a moment from last season. The post, which garnered positive fan engagement, highlights Tolbert's growing role and serves as a reminder of the on-field excitement the team hopes to recapture in 2025.
As training camp looms, the Cowboys find themselves at a familiar crossroads. The roster is brimming with talent, from established stars like Parsons to promising newcomers like Ezeiruaku. Yet, the shadows of internal strife and the ghosts of past failures linger. Whether this team can find the discipline and unity Jimmy Johnson preaches will be the defining story of their 2025 season. All eyes now turn to Oxnard to see if they can start fresh or if the drama is just beginning.
