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Newsweek
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Trevon Diggs Fires Off Statement After Cowboys' Big Decision
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Earlier this offseason, Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs decided to rehab away from the Dallas Cowboys' facility. When members of the team were present for OTAs, Diggs was in Florida. At the time, it was clear there was a chance Diggs was looking at a six-figure deduction in his salary. In his contract, it states he would need to do most of his rehab at the team's facility. The star cornerback admitted to reporters on Tuesday that he didn't believe the Cowboys would take away the $500,000. It turns out he was wrong. "The de-escalation is contractually spelled out. When he decided to train in South Florida, he understood what the consequences would be," Cowboys' Executive Vice President Stephen Jones said. Diggs took to social media on Tuesday to fire off a statement of his own in response to his team's big decision. Trevon Diggs #7 of the Dallas Cowboys during a joint practice against the Los Angeles Rams at River Ridge Playing Fields on August 8, 2024 in Oxnard, California Trevon Diggs #7 of the Dallas Cowboys during a joint practice against the Los Angeles Rams at River Ridge Playing Fields on August 8, 2024 in Oxnard, California"They knew where I was rehabbing at," Diggs wrote on X. "[I] was in full communication with the therapist [the] whole step of the way. I am not behind on my recovery process." Diggs then followed up by sending out, "Control what you can control," with a praying hands emoji. They knew where I was rehabbing at. Was in full Communication with the therapist whole step of the way. I am not behind on my recovery process. — TRE SE7EN (@TrevonDiggs) July 22, 2025 Before Diggs took to social media to sound off, he stood next to Cowboys star Micah Parsons following the first day of Dallas Cowboys training camp. When asked about the de-escalation, Diggs revealed his candid thoughts. "I didn't expect that, that kind of hurt my feelings," he admitted, according to Pro Football Talk. "It's OK. Hopefully, I'll make it back in incentives." Diggs is currently rehabbing from a knee surgery that he received during the 2024 NFL season. Over the past two years, he's been dealing with knee-related concerns after tearing his ACL during a practice early on in the 2023 NFL season. Currently, Diggs is on the NFL's PUP list. His availability for Week 1 is up in the air. The team has not revealed a timeline for his return to action. Despite his inability to participate in anything other than rehab, Diggs was expected to be present for all phases of the offseason, according to Jerry Jones. "He didn't earn it; he didn't come," Jerry Jones said on Monday. "That's in his contract that he doesn't get that unless he's going to be here. Those are contractual things, as Stephen said. It would be very detrimental to the team not to abide by the agreement. We expect a player paid like Trevon to be here all the time. We expect him to be leading." For more Dallas Cowboys and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Florio Predicts How NFL's Biggest Contract Standoffs Could Play Out
Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio tells Rich Eisen how the contract stalemates of Micah Parsons, Terry McLaurin and Trey Hendrickson could play out.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Falcons in crisis: Kirk Cousins could be traded, Penix Jr. pushed to start, and Younghoe Koo's job at risk
Cousins trade buzz, Penix Jr. rise, Koo under pressure (Image via: Getty Images) The Atlanta Falcons are heading into the 2025 NFL season with big questions still unanswered. From Kirk Cousins' uncertain future to rookie Michael Penix Jr.'s growing momentum, and a sudden kicking competition, the team is under pressure to make the right moves. Kirk Cousins trade rumors still swirling Kirk Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons in March. But just months later, reports surfaced that the team was exploring trade options. According to Pro Football Network's Jacob Infante, Atlanta could even consider cutting Cousins if no deal materializes, though doing so would trigger a $10 million cap hit. 'He's more of a trade candidate than a cut candidate,' Infante noted. 'But if it reaches the point where Cousins refuses to suit up for Atlanta, they could have a tough choice to make.' The situation remains fluid. While Cousins recovers from an Achilles injury, the team must weigh financial consequences against locker room chemistry and long-term planning. Atlanta Falcons reportedly asking too much in Kirk Cousins trade | Pro Football Talk | NFL on NBC Michael Penix Jr. gaining locker room support Amid the Cousins drama, rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is quietly turning heads. Selected No. 8 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, Penix has already impressed several teammates—none more vocal than wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud. 'Boy, I'm excited… I've watched [Penix] every day at practice,' McCloud said. 'I'm just ready to see him go into an experienced year, a polished year, and see how it goes — go all the way to the Super Bowl.' Penix's dual-threat ability, leadership, and college resume make him a strong candidate to start sooner than expected, especially if Cousins is traded or sidelined longer. Younghoe Koo now in a real kicking battle For the first time since 2020, Younghoe Koo's role isn't guaranteed. The Falcons signed kicker Lenny Krieg, creating open competition. Koo missed nine field goals last season—two of which were blocked—but special teams coordinator Marquice Williams publicly defended him. Still, the addition of Krieg signals real pressure. Koo's performance in camp and preseason will determine whether he retains his starting job. FAQs Will the Atlanta Falcons trade Kirk Cousins before the 2025 NFL season? The Falcons are reportedly open to trading Kirk Cousins, but no deal has materialized yet. Cutting him would result in a $10 million cap hit, making a trade the more likely option if the situation escalates. Is Michael Penix Jr. expected to start for the Falcons in 2025? While Kirk Cousins is still on the roster, Michael Penix Jr. has gained strong support from teammates and could start if Cousins is traded or sidelined. His development is a top storyline heading into training camp. Why is Younghoe Koo facing competition for the kicker role? After missing nine field goals in 2024, the Falcons signed kicker Lenny Krieg to compete with Younghoe Koo. While some misses were blocked, the team wants reliability, making this an open battle during training camp. Also Read: Travis Hunter's wife Leanna Lenee breaks down in viral TikTok, faces backlash for crying about Jesus Falcons enter 2025 camp with key roster questions From quarterback drama to special teams shake-ups, the Falcons have no shortage of storylines heading into camp. Kirk Cousins' trade rumors, Michael Penix Jr.'s rapid rise, and Younghoe Koo's job security will dominate headlines and could define Atlanta's season. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Texas A&M Edge remains unsigned with Cincinnati before Training Camp
The Shemar Stewart saga continued this weekend as NFL rookies around the country reported to camp, except for the former five-star prospect and Texas A&M edge who was selected 17th overall in the 2025 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, who have yet to sign the Miami native. Due to a disagreement in the contract language, the Bengals' front office continues to stall, and as Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio puts it, this isn't a regular occurrence compared to past examples where rookies are looking to "squeeze" front offices into shelling out more money. "That's what the Bengals have done. For reasons neither known nor apparent (other than 'they wanted to'), the Bengals have changed the default language in their contracts to extend the consequences of voided guarantees to the balance of the deal. It's a new term, and this year's rookies are the Cincinnati guinea pigs." Stewart is looking to be financially protected no matter what happens during his four-year contract with the franchise, and when nearly all of the other 31 NFL teams have come to agreements with their drafted rookies, the fact that a first-round pick is still in this situation just days before NFL training camps begin is truly bizarre. While some, including Mike Florio, believe this is about "power" from the Bengals' point of view, Stewart's options likely don't include a return to the college football ranks after Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko shot down the idea during SEC media days, while sitting out for a full season to potentially re-enter the draft will place him behind the eight ball on the field. While this is strictly Florio's opinion, Cincinnati would be wise to finalize a deal this week and avoid any further national embarrassment. In the NFL, winning is everything, and personal empowerment should take a backseat. "They're prioritizing that power over winning. If they truly cared about winning, they'd come up with a win-win that would get Stewart in camp and get him ready to help the Bengals not stumble out of the gates." Cincinnati's 2025 training camp will begin on Wednesday, July 23. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Lloyd Howell was sunk by his own secrets and destined to fail
Like the fact an independent arbiter ruled in favor of the NFLPA's grievance case there was a PREPONDERANCE OF EVIDENCE COMMISSIONER ROGER GOODELL AND THE FORMER LEAD LEAGUE ATTORNEY ENCOURAGED TEAMS TO COLLUDE against giving players guaranteed dollars. The key part is capitalized for a reason. Howell and the union didn't want anybody to know about it. Essential reporting from Pablo Torre and Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio unearthed the initial ruling. ESPN's Kalyn Kahler and Don Van Natta Jr. added layers by exposing a secrecy agreement between the NFL and NFLPA to keep the arbitration ruling buried. What should have been a slam dunk for Howell and his union inexplicably became a "nothingburger." If only his tenure could be described that way. "Disaster" is a better fit. "Unhealthy" is more apropos. For the players, who rely on this union even though the vast majority of them don't really care about the details of the membership. For the fans, the vast majority of whom support the players' rights to receive their fair share in the fight against 32 separate, billion-dollar enterprises -- and don't want to hear about collective bargaining agreement (CBA) drama. You think this stuff doesn't have consequences? Look at the second-round draft picks from the 2025 class fighting for guaranteed money. Every day is a scrap for the next cent in the NFL. The NFLPA's job is to give each player a chance in that battle. Howell was elected following a process that was shrouded in secrecy. None of the candidates were made public. Player membership received one day's notice of the election, according to reports, and only 11 individuals voted. And the outcome was Howell, a former executive at consulting firm Booz Allen. Former union president JC Tretter, now the chief strategist for the NFLPA, said the process was copacetic and within the union's constitutional guidelines. This is a group that represents nearly 1,700 active players and many more former ones. Maybe Howell was the most qualified candidate and presented the best vision for the NFLPA's future -- not that the public (or many of the players) would have any idea. But it set the tone for the next two years. Once the dam broke for Howell, there was no plugging it. After Torre's initial revelation, the confidentiality agreement between the league and union came to light. Then Torre reported another grievance case that went to arbitration -- this time with a judge ruling against the union that Tretter's comments on a podcast in 2023 violated the CBA for loosely suggesting players could use injuries as leverage. The NFL won that arbitration ruling, but nobody knew because of a different confidentiality agreement. One of the most egregious points of Howell's time leading the union is that he was a paid, part-time consultant for The Carlyle Group -- one of the private-equity firms approved by the league to invest in NFL franchises. Conflict of interest and grift are en vogue in America in 2025. That doesn't make any of this OK. The union head must be unequivocally committed to being on the side of the players. This is a role that requires servant leadership. Focusing on adding zeros to checking accounts and diversifying investment portfolios don't mesh with that. Those are the controversies relevant to Howell's dealings at the NFLPA. And the union stood by Howell, even releasing a statement of support from the executive committee four days before his resignation. It was his choice to resign, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. The person did not want to be identified because of the sensitivity of the situation. The final nail in the coffin appeared to be the ESPN report that he was involved in a sexual discrimination and retaliation lawsuit at his former job in 2011. Per ESPN, some players who voted for Howell were unaware of the suit. One month after his election, Howell's firm settled a $377 million lawsuit with the government after a whistleblower claim of overcharging. Howell was the company's chief financial officer. Perhaps a proper, public vetting process could have prevented this. Some good certainly happened at the NFLPA under Howell. The player surveys were a hit and led to tangible change, with owners prompted to improve life and conditions for the players and their families. The timing for the union is not ideal. The CBA expires in 2030, and that may feel distant. Labor negotiations have a funny way of making any timeline feel clustered. The work to avoid labor strife down the road had already been started. The new leader won't have to start from scratch, but Howell's resignation definitely puts the union behind the 8-ball in what is already an unfair fight against ownership. Howell was never the right choice for the job. The original sin, though, is the secrecy of his selection. Hopefully the NFLPA has learned that lesson.
