Former Cowboys All-Pro Blames Trevon Diggs for Ugly Exit

Everson Walls says Diggs "wasn't in a good place" when he left the team against orders

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The messy divorce between the Dallas Cowboys and former All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs came to a head when Diggs stayed behind in his hometown of Washington following a game against the Commanders, despite being told not to. Former Cowboys cornerback Everson Walls says Diggs never fully bought into the team's culture and that he "wasn't in a good place" when he left the team.

Why it matters

Diggs was once considered a rising star in the NFL after tying a franchise record with 11 interceptions in 2021. However, his performance and commitment to the team declined over the next few seasons, leading to his eventual release. This case highlights the challenges teams face in managing star players who may struggle with off-field issues.

The details

Diggs went through the proper channels to get permission to stay behind in Washington, but the Cowboys denied his request. Walls, who played nine seasons for the Cowboys and won a Super Bowl, said Diggs "never fully bought into the team's culture" and that "there are rumors that he wasn't doing that, and I'm not talking about on the field, necessarily." After being released by the Cowboys, Diggs was claimed by the Green Bay Packers, but he struggled to make an impact in his brief time there.

  • Diggs tied the Cowboys' franchise record with 11 interceptions in 2021.
  • Over the next four seasons, Diggs managed just six interceptions and played in 49 of a possible 68 games while dealing with various injuries.
  • Diggs stayed behind in Washington following the Cowboys' Christmas Day win over the Commanders, despite being told not to.
  • The Cowboys released Diggs, and he was claimed by the Green Bay Packers ahead of their regular-season finale against the Minnesota Vikings.
  • Diggs played 33 defensive snaps in his Packers debut and finished with two tackles.

The players

Trevon Diggs

A former All-Pro cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys who struggled with performance and commitment issues over the past few seasons, leading to his release from the team.

Everson Walls

A former Cowboys cornerback who won a Super Bowl with the team and says Diggs "never fully bought into the team's culture."

Dallas Cowboys

The NFL team that released Trevon Diggs after he stayed behind in Washington against the team's orders.

Green Bay Packers

The NFL team that claimed Trevon Diggs off waivers after he was released by the Cowboys.

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What they’re saying

“There are some relationships that you think you can handle more than you thought. There are some relationships that are up and down. I'm sure Trevon thought that this was going to work out, but you've got to do your part. There are rumors that he wasn't doing that, and I'm not talking about on the field, necessarily. I'm talking about buying into the culture of the team.”

— Everson Walls, Former Cowboys Cornerback (DallasNews.com)

“I went back and looked at some of his highlights. Just amazing some of the plays that he made, not just the interceptions. But it's where you are when things go south, and he wasn't in a good place when he did that.”

— Everson Walls, Former Cowboys Cornerback (DallasNews.com)

What’s next

The Packers will have to decide whether to keep Diggs on their roster or release him in the offseason.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges teams face in managing star players who may struggle with off-field issues and commitment to the team's culture. It also raises questions about the long-term viability of players who rely heavily on turnovers to be productive.