No, the Dallas Cowboys did not release Trevon Diggs in the name of becoming relevant in the final week of the NFL regular season. That might be hard for some to believe, but Dallas actually had a good reason to move on from Diggs.
Diggs refused to board the Cowboys' flight home after their Christmas Day win over the Washington Commanders after his request to stay back in D.C. was denied. Brian Schottenheimer made it clear that the whole team would fly back together before parting for the holidays.
The decision painted Schottenheimer in an unflattering light, and he explained the decision -- as well as Diggs' release -- during his Wednesday availability.
"It was one of many factors. It was not the only factor. I’m not the Grinch that stole Christmas," Schottenheimer said. "I love Christmas. I love my family. But at the end of the day, we have a protocol that we go through and the process was not followed. … We go up as a team and we come back as a team. He decided to make a different decision."
Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer didn't mince words about the Trevon Diggs plane controversy
It really is that cut and dry. The Cowboys said Diggs needed to fly back with the team, and Diggs didn't listen. They didn't have any other choice but to cut him.
Schottenheimer didn't go full drill sergeant to prevent Diggs from spending extra time with his family on Christmas. It was always about following team policy. The first-year head coach said that other players asked to stay in the D.C. area. He relayed that same message and seemingly didn't receive any pushback.
It also can't be overstated that Diggs didn't approach Schottenheimer until after the game. Teams follow a rigid schedule when departing from a road trip. Addressing the team in the locker room, media availability, showers, getting to the bus, and driving to the airport are all part of the process. Every second matters.
Schottenheimer said that unless there's a family emergency, the Cowboys plan to fly to a game as a team and leave as a team. It's the "business trip" mentality that coaches take seriously and work hard to uphold.
The 52-year-old hasn't pulled any punches this season about holding players accountable, including CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. He isn't the first head coach to turn down players who asked to stay back with their respective families. It doesn't make him the Grinch. It's simply how things are done in the NFL.