Cowboys open 2024 camp with drama as Trevon Diggs faces a $500k fine. See how new OC Schottenheimer and Micah Parsons are setting the tone for the season.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
The California sun wasn't the only thing bringing the heat to Cowboys training camp this week. As the team kicked off its first official practice with palpable energy, an off-field financial dispute involving star cornerback Trevon Diggs sent a jolt through the proceedings, creating a fascinating mix of on-field promise and front-office drama from day one.
I was definitely surprised by it. - Trevon Diggs on the Cowboys exercising a contract clause to deduct $500,000 from his salary.
The pads weren't on yet, but the intensity was cranked to eleven for the Cowboys' first practice of 2025. Much of the credit goes to new offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, whose vocal and energetic style was immediately noticeable. The renewed focus was infectious, with linebacker Micah Parsons holding a characteristically lively media scrum post-practice, radiating confidence and setting a competitive tone for the entire squad. It's clear the team is eager to wash away last season's ending and start fresh.
While the team was buzzing on the field, cornerback Trevon Diggs was making waves off it. He publicly confirmed his surprise after the Cowboys exercised a contract clause to deduct $500,000 from his base salary, reportedly related to a team policy or conduct issue. The timing is less than ideal, injecting a dose of tension into player-team relations right as the grind begins. For a team that needs its stars aligned and focused, this is a storyline that bears watching closely.
The drama surrounding Diggs inadvertently shines a brighter spotlight on the team's biggest question mark: cornerback depth. Behind their star starter, the Cowboys are relying on a host of young, unproven talent. The coaching staff is spinning this as a golden opportunity for players to step up and claim a roster spot, turning a potential weakness into a camp-long competition. The next few weeks will be a crucial audition for several young defensive backs looking to prove they can be reliable contributors.
All of this early camp work is pointed toward one goal: navigating a challenging 2025 schedule. As of today, the Cowboys sit atop the NFC East at 0-0, a clean slate for everyone. The road ahead is dotted with high-stakes, primetime matchups that will test their mettle, including nationally televised games against the rival Philadelphia Eagles (NBC), the Green Bay Packers (NBC), and the Detroit Lions (Prime Video). The journey to win the division and make a deep playoff run has officially begun.
The first days of camp have set a fascinating tone: immense on-field potential clashing with off-field business realities. How the Cowboys navigate the Trevon Diggs situation while harnessing the new offensive energy will be the story to watch. The path to a division title and those primetime showdowns starts now, and it's already clear it won't be a boring ride.
