That familiar, sinking sense of déjà vu swept over Dallas Cowboys fans in Week 3 when Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams dropped back and effortlessly connected with wide receiver Rome Odunze on a wide-open touchdown. For Cowboys Nation, it was an all-too-common sight: an opposing receiver streaking downfield without a defender in frame, the crowd roaring, and Dallas once again left searching for answers.
And, as has so often been the case in recent seasons, the name at the center of the defensive collapse was Trevon Diggs. The Cowboys’ All-Pro cornerback, once hailed as a ball-hawk playmaker, has developed an unfortunate reputation for giving up as many highlight-reel blunders as he produces turnovers. Every time a receiver breaks free for a massive gain, frustrated fans know exactly where to look — and more often than not, it’s behind the trailing figure of Diggs.
The Week 3 matchup against Chicago only reinforced that narrative. The Cowboys were manhandled in a 31-14 defeat, dropping them to 1-2 on the year, while Williams — a young quarterback who entered the league under immense scrutiny — looked every bit like a seasoned All-Pro. Odunze’s wide-open score wasn’t just another touchdown; it symbolized the unraveling of a defense that once prided itself on swagger and physical dominance.
Criticism came quickly and brutally. On September 21, the Philadelphia Eagles blog The Birds Blitz pulled no punches on its official X account, declaring:
“Trevon Diggs is on the Mount Rushmore of most overrated players in the NFL.”
That biting comment was accompanied by viral video footage of Diggs slipping and falling helplessly as he attempted to shadow Odunze on the play. Within hours, the clip had been shared thousands of times, sparking heated debates across social media, sports talk shows, and fan forums.
For the Cowboys, the problem runs deeper than one bad snap. It’s a troubling pattern, a defensive soft spot that opponents continue to exploit — and until Diggs and the secondary can break the cycle, Dallas’ dreams of reclaiming championship glory will remain nothing more than déjà vu.
Diggs One Of NFL’s Worst And Highest Paid CBs
According to Pro Football Focus, Diggs has a 53.9 overall grade through 3 games. That makes him one of the NFL’s worst cornerbacks on paper — he’s ranked 104th out of 148 eligible players at his position.
Unfortunately for the Cowboys, he’s also one of the NFL’s highest paid players at his position after he signed a 5-year, $97 million contract extension in July 2023 — a contract that runs through 2028.
With another NFL All-Pro cornerback in Daron Bland out with a foot injury less than one month after signing a 4-year, $90 million contract extension, the Cowboys are paying a lot of money at one position that’s producing negative results at this point.
In short — it’s been a disaster.
“Trevon Diggs tried to jam Rome Odunze at the line of scrimmage, but the Cowboys’ corner slipped and Rome Odunze finished the play with a 35-yard touchdown reception,” Marquee Sports Network’s Nicholas Moreano wrote on his official X account.
Internet, Media Love To Light Up Diggs
Few players in the NFL have been punching bags for the internet and NFL media like Diggs has been in recent years. That’s a direct result of his massive contract and the fact he’s missed 22 games due to injuries over the last 2 seasons due to a torn ACL in 2023 and re-injuring that same knee in 2024.
In total, Bland and Diggs have only played 4 games together over the last 2 seasons.
“The Dallas Cowboys defense is absolutely awful,” ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said on First Take on September 21. “You know it, I know it, anybody with 2 eyes can see it.”
“You look away for a quick second and you just might miss Trevon Diggs getting absolutely cooked every damn play!” Cowboys fan Ryan Mota wrote on X. “(Expletive) was so damn worried about Micah getting traded they should’ve sent him also.”
“Trevon Diggs is trash,” The Rantagonizer wrote on X on September 21. “Most overpaid player in Cowboys history. He makes Terence Newman look like Champ Bailey.”
“I’m afraid Trevon Diggs isn’t very good,” Cowboys fan account Cowboys Due Diligence wrote on its official X account on September 21.
