Newly-extended Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs: 'I'm just starting'

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs signed the team’s biggest deal so far of the offseason with his five-year extension worth $97 million. With incentives, he has the opportunity to earn as much as $100 million over the course of the deal.

Asked whether he’s at the top of his game three years into his career, Diggs told reporters: “Hell no.”

“Hell no,” Diggs said, via Todd Archer. “I’m just starting. Literally… I want to be flawless all the way around. Have no flaws in my game, just try to be perfect, just put on display that I’m one of the best DBs in the NFL.”

🦅…. let’s Keep It Going pic.twitter.com/QKaX0qUQU1

— SEVEN (@TrevonDiggs) July 26, 2023

In 2022, Diggs had a career-high 50 solo tackles and three interceptions. In 2021, he took two of his 11 interceptions home for touchdowns. He’s led all NFL defenders with 17 interceptions over the last three seasons.

Part of staying hungry and fending off complacency for Diggs has been watching his new teammate Stephon Gilmore.

Stephon Gilmore helping to unlock ‘next level’

The former Alabama star used to send Gilmore his tape to evaluate and now, he has much easier access to the veteran. Some of his good habits are already rubbing off on the young DB.

“Just how he goes about his work, it’s like rubbed off on me,” Diggs said. “He’s waking up at 6 o’clock every day. So now I want to wake up at 6 o’clock every day, and go get a workout with him and do all the little stuff like that. He eats perfect… doesn’t eat foolishness. He has seen me eating gummy snacks and he’ll be like, ‘Why are you eating that?’

“Little things like that, him just taking me under his wing and just showing me how to last in the league that long. I’m just taking notes and soaking everything up. And I’m very appreciative for it.”

As for Gilmore, he’s happy to see his fellow cornerback getting paid.

“They pay you because you’ve been playing good football, so just keep doing what you’ve been doing,” Gilmore said. “Make plays on the ball and try to get better each and every year. … He’s super talented. He has great ball skills. Some of the stuff he does you can’t teach. He’s got a natural instinct for catching the ball. He can cover really pretty much anybody.”

Mike McCarthy reacts to Diggs’ extension

Asked about Diggs’ megadeal, head coach Mike McCarthy said he’s pleased that it benefits everyone.

“It’s good all the way around,” McCarthy said on Wednesday. “Personally, excited for him and his family… For us, the timing is great. Second contracts are such an important part of the draft-and-develop method.

“When you’re able to get your young guys done — it’s all in front of us. I was excited to see that happen.”

Although Diggs is now one of the highest-paid players on the team, McCarthy isn’t expecting the former second-rounder to change who he is. A quieter leader than DeMarcus Lawrence or Micah Parsons, the cornerback shows his leadership in other ways.

“When you’re dealing in the personality realm, it’s important for everyone to clearly understand their role,” McCarthy said. “Ask people to start acting differently because of the size of their paycheck, I’m not for that, more responsibility but you don’t have to change your personality.

“His personality, I would not classify him as quiet, but my interactions are different than yours.”

After he signed his deal, Cowboys cameras caught the DB carrying his teammates’ helmets to help out the team’s equipment managers.