Life comes at you fast in the NFL. Just a couple of years ago, the Dallas Cowboys flaunted one of the most exciting cornerback duos in football in Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland.
With Diggs' release in December and DaRon Bland recovering from his second left foot surgery in as many years, both may be off the team by this time next year. Unlike Diggs, all hope is not lost with Bland, who is just one season removed from being a first-team All-Pro.
The worst part about Diggs' release is that it wasn't a clean break. It was a slow burn, beginning with his alleged half-hearted ACL rehab and ending with him disobeying Brian Schottenheimer's wish for the entire team to fly back to Dallas after the team's Christmas Day game.
Both sides have moved on, and the Cowboys have taken a symbolic step in the post-breakup process, as newcomer Rashan Gary announced on Instagram that he’ll wear No. 7 after sporting No. 52 with the Packers (h/t Tommy Yarrish, DallasCowboys.com).
It appears #Cowboys OLB Rashan Gary is changing his number to 7 in Dallas, per his Instagram. pic.twitter.com/LsdwCIAi11
— Tommy Yarrish (@tommy_yarrish) March 26, 2026
New Dallas Cowboys DE Rashan Gary has taken Trevon Diggs' number
There is nothing spiteful about Gary's decision. No shortage of professional athletes change numbers to usher in a change of scenery. It represents the next chapter of a career. That's all this is. Just as Gary rocked No. 52 with pride in Green Bay, he'll look to do the same with No. 7.
While Jerry Jones has stooped to impressive levels of pettiness (see the Micah Parsons trade), he knows better than to give away Diggs' old number to prove a point.
Gary's decision puts an unofficial bow on Diggs' departure. Sure, Diggs was seemingly mentally checked out from the minute Dallas traded Parsons, but it'll take an adjustment period watching someone other than Diggs rep the No. 7.
From 2020 to 2022, Diggs was one of the best cornerbacks in the league, tallying 17 interceptions and 49 passes defended. That included a historic 2021 in which he tied a Cowboys franchise record and led the NFL with 11 interceptions.
Incredibly, Cowboys fans agreed that Diggs’ 2023 form was the best of his career. He was less volatile in coverage and played with a level of physicality we hadn’t consistently seen before. That form was short-lived, though, as Diggs suffered a torn ACL in practice leading up to Dallas' Week 3 game.
The former second-round pick was never the same player, and his relationship with the front office deteriorated beyond repair, ultimately leading to his release.
Hopefully, he can get his career back on track in 2026.