Cowboys: Trevon Diggs' new contract is a massive win for the team

Signing a $97 million contract has to feel good. That's what Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs officially did on Tuesday as the team reported to training camp in Oxnard, California. In a way, Diggs was competing with WR CeeDee Lamb, QB Dak Prescott, and others with similar contractual timetables who are also looking to get […]

Mauricio Rodriguez — Dallas Cowboys News Writer

Jul 25, 2023 5:04 PM EDT

Signing a $97 million contract has to feel good. That's what Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs officially did on Tuesday as the team reported to training camp in Oxnard, California.

In a way, Diggs was competing with WR CeeDee Lamb, QB Dak Prescott, and others with similar contractual timetables who are also looking to get their bag entering the 2023 NFL season. But while becoming the fifth-highest-paid cornerback in the league is a positive for Diggs, the Cowboys appear to be the real winners of the news for one simple reason: It looks like a heck of a deal for them.

After all, after Jalen Ramsey signed the first $20 million per year contract at the position in 2020, two more cornerbacks followed suit in 2022: Jaire Alexander and Denzel Ward. At $19.4 million per year, Diggs won't reach that mark.

Considering that he's playing 2023 under his rookie deal, the Cowboys will be getting Diggs for an even lower average at nearly $17M per year (he was set to make $4.3 for 2023).

On top of that, ESPN's Todd Archer is reporting that Diggs' deal includes $42.3 million in guaranteed money. Based on how contracts are usually structured, that likely means the Cowboys could have an out on the deal in the next two to three years so it's not like they will really be tied to him through 2028.

Although calling it a team-friendly deal would be an exaggeration, this contract was a great job from the front office. They'll keep one of their most important players on defense at a very decent price and will count on flexibility after a few years. And on top of that, Trevon is just 24 years old (one who gets pissed off at Madden, too).

Not overpaying the cornerback also leaves good prospects of getting deals done with Lamb, Dak, and even Micah Parsons (who can begin negotiations in 2024). And of course, Zack Martin, who's officially holding out of training camp as he tries to cut in line (rightfully so) in front of some of these players.