Tag: stefon diggs trade

Texans WR Stefon Diggs could be top target for AFC contender

The Houston Texans could see Stefon Diggs stick around the AFC next season with a new team.

As the Houston Texans try to keep wide receiver Stefon Diggs around the program for another season, 31 other teams could try to pry him away.

Despite a strong first season working with C.J. Stroud, Diggs has a market. He’s a reliable No. 2 threat in the passing game and could provide upside for a young receiver room looking for a long-term top weapon.

Pro Football Focus recently listed the top potential destinations for some of the best receivers on the market. For Diggs, PFF has the four-time Pro Bowler leaving NRGB Stadium and heading north to the New England Patriots with first-year coach Mike Vrabel.

“New England announced Josh McDaniels will lead Mike Vrabel’s offense, returning to the team with which he authored one of the most productive offenses in the NFL,” PFF’s Mason Cameron wrote. “McDaniels’ system requires savvy and polished route runners who are comfortable in a variety of route concepts and alignments, something Diggs embodies.”

New England has several young options for former No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye entering 2025, but none have the experience Diggs provides. Before suffering a torn ACL in Week 8, the 31-year-old was well on his way to securing a seventh-straight 1,000-yard campaign while totaling over 100 catches.

The Patriots need a legitimate No. 1 threat to double this win total. Diggs would fit the bill on paper, but at this stage in his career, chasing a title seems more fitting than inking a long-term lucrative contract.

Houston, which is coming off an 11-8 finish with an AFC South division title, is closing to winning a Super Bowl than New England. Players inside the locker room also hope Diggs returns to the huddle next season to pick up where he left off.

“I hope that he’s back and my locker mate again,” Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon said. “When it comes down to it, I’m sure he’s gonna do what’s best for him and same with the team. But selfishly, I think that all of us are gonna welcome Stef back with open arms.”

In eight games, Diggs caught 47 passes for 496 yards and scored four total touchdowns.

Texans players hope WR Stefon Diggs returns for 2025 season

C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins and Joe Mixon all made it clear that they’d love for Stefon Diggs to be back in the huddle this season.

Joe Mixon said on Monday that he’d love to have Stefon Diggs as his locker mate in 2025 as the Houston Texans look to run it as AFC South champions.

He’s not the only member of the offense who would love to see the four-time Pro Bowl receiver back in the huddle.

“That’s my boy. I would love to have Stef back,” quarterback C.J. Stroud said on Monday. “He’s somebody that I would love to do this whole thing back with.”

Diggs, a two-time All-Pro receiver entering his 11th season, headlines the Texans’ free-agent class as their season comes to a close. After Houston traded a 2025 second-round pick to the Buffalo Bills to acquire Diggs, the franchise restructured his contract to a one-year deal.

Despite coming off a torn ACL, Diggs will have options. He posted four consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns as the No. 1 target for Josh Allen in Buffalo.

He was well on his way to the fifth 1K year before being sidelined for the remainder of the season in Week 8. Since then, Diggs has been training away from the facility, but he told NFL Network’s Good Morning Football in December that he’s “in a good spot” throughout his recovery.

Mixon, who inked a three-year extension after being traded from Cincinnati, said he believes Diggs is on the proper trajectory for a resurgent 2025 season.

“He’s definitely on track to becoming better and returning from his injury,” Mixon said. “I’m just excited that he’s back on his feet.”

Before the injury, Diggs had taken over as a leader in the locker room. He was well-liked by his teammates and offered advice to young players. He was even voted a team captain despite rumors of his attitude during his time in Buffalo.

Stroud said their connection was finally heating up before the ACL injury, mentioning how the duo was “starting to build a rapport.” In eight games, Diggs ranked seventh in receptions (47) and total 496 receiving yards for four total touchdowns.

“Dude is an All-Pro,” wide receiver Nico Collins said. “He’s a playmaker. Dude’s been making plays in this league for a while, and there’s no better person to get advice from.
Wishing him the best in recovery and I can’t wait to see him.”

Plans could change with Diggs’ future in Houston. Initially, it seemed as if the Texans were content with losing him this offseason, but with Tank Dell’s knee injury likely keeping him out for all of 2025, retaining the 31-year-old might be best for all parties.

Collins said that while his on-field presence was missed, it was his leadership in the locker room that was drastically noticed.

“That’s who Stef is, he’s a leader. Great, great leader in the receiver room. Great leader around the league,” Collins said. “Dude’s been around the league for years. He knows what it takes to win, and you want to have that leadership in the locker room. For him to go down, it hurt.”

Houston will target at least one playmaker this offseason. When asked if Diggs could be in line to return for Year 2, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans remained quiet on the reunion talks.

“I won’t get into specifics of each player, but me and [General Maanger] Nick [Caserio] will look at the roster and see where we can add guys to help our team win. Each player is different.”

The Texans will close out the 2024 season with an 11-8 record. They’ll select 25th in the upcoming NFL draft in April.

Joe Mixon hopes Texans bring back All-Pro WR for 2025 season

If Stefon Diggs wants to return to Houston, Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon will be the first to welcome him with open arms.

The Houston Texans have over two dozen free agents set to hit the market this offseason, but Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon hopes at least one is back in the huddle for the season-opener when the offense takes the field.

If two-time All-Pro receiver Stefon Diggs wants to return to NRG Stadium, Mixon said everyone would be elated.

“I hope that obviously he’s back and is my locker mate again,” Mixon said on Monday. “When it comes down to it, I’m sure he’s going do what’s best for him and same with the team. Selfishly, I think that all of us would welcome Stef back with open arms.”

After trading a 2025 second-round pick to the Buffalo Bills, Houston voided the final three years of Diggs’ current deal, making him a free agent following the 2024 season. After Nico Collins signed a three-year extension this offseason, it seemed like the four-time Pro Bowler would be a one-and-done in Houston.

Diggs’ market remains a mystery and the Texans enter the offseason. He was on pace for another 100-catch season as Houston’s No. 2 receiver before a torn ACL suffered in Week 8 sidelined him for the rest of the year.

At 31, Diggs could be looking for a short-term deal that offers him a chance to win a ring. That could be Houston, which returns multiple offensive roleplayers including Mixon, Collins, quarterback C.J. Stroud, tight end Dalton Schultz and Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil.

Mixon said he’s been recruiting Diggs since Day 1 in hopes of having him around to help the back-to-back AFC South champs get over the hump and into the Super Bowl conversation.

“We definitely were on the same page,” Mixon said. “Obviously my guy just got hurt. But it is a business, that’s the unfortunate part.”

Diggs, who finished with 47 catches for 496 yards and three touchdowns in eight games, could command a decent market on a one-year deal. Earlier this season, he mentioned that he’d be open to coming back to Houston as he continues to attack his recovery.

That’ll be up to GM Nick Caserio, who could look to go younger and cheaper this offseason for a quality No. 2 threat. Plans could have changed after Tank Dell suffered a season-ending knee injury that likely will keep him out for most of the 2025 campaign due to recovery time.

Mixon believes Diggs is on track to becoming better entering 2025. Hopefully, that better ends in the end zone while wearing a Texans’ uniform.

“I’m excited that he’s back on his feet,” Mixon said. “I’m sure he’s probably going to want to come back here. He’s got unfinished business. Hopefully, he would take that into consideration.”

The Texans have roughly $10.6 million in cap space entering the offseason, though that number could fluctuate after roster cuts and contract reworks.

Could Stefon Diggs return to the Texans in 2024?

Four-time Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs very well could head back to Houston for the 2025 season with the Texans.

Stefon Diggs might be out of sight, but the Houston Texans are on his mind following their 20-12 victory over the Miami Dolphins.

He also is thinking about a potential reunion in 2025.

Diggs, who suffered a season-ending torn ACL in Week 8 against the Indianapolis Colts, told NFL Network’s Good Morning Football Crew Tuesday that “everything is good” with his recovery. He’s expected to be ready to go for the start of the 2025 season after a few more months of rehabilitation.

“It’s been a long road,” Diggs said. “I just took it day by day. It was tough in the beginning definitely, not being mobile, not being able to move around. But the more I get my two feet back, I’m just super blessed. I’m in a good spot.”

Diggs also mentioned the idea of returning to Houston for a second season, stating that with the path the team is headed on, he’d be “excited” to return for another year after an abrupt end.

“I don’t know what the future holds but I definitely got a home in Houston, and I love those guys over there,” Diggs said. “They’re good people.”

After joining the Texans following four seasons with the Buffalo Bills, Diggs was on pace for another promising season as C.J. Stroud’s top target. Before suffering the injury, he had 47 catches for 496 yards and three touchdowns in what could be his lone year with the Texans.

While signed to a long-term deal with the Bills, Houston restructured Diggs’ contract to a one-year deal after acquiring him for a 2025 second-round pick in April, allowing him to become a free agent after the regular season.

Before the injury, Diggs mentioned that Houston made him feel like there was something special in the works. The impact felt around the locker room helped him play better during his eight seasons.

“I knew them before like they were relatives of mine,” Diggs said. “Going into this season, it was just so much fun. I woke up every day with a smile.”

Since the injury, Diggs said he’s been away from the team but plans to be in the building for Houston’s Christmas Day game against the Baltimore Ravens.

“I’m extremely excited, and hopefully everything’s in a good spot,” Diggs said. “I can’t wait to see (my teammates), it’s been a while.”

The Texans (9-5) hit the road this weekend after clinching the AFC South to take on the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadiunm. Kickoff is scheduled for noon CT. The game will be nationally televised on NBC.

Texans All-Pro WR predicted to leave Houston for NFC franchise

Stefon Diggs could be headed back to New York this offseason rather than sign a one-year deal with the Houston Texans.

Has Stefon Diggs played his last down as a member of the Houston Texans?

The two-time All-Pro receiver suffered a season-ending torn ACL on a non-contact play in Week 8’s win over the Indianapolis Colts. He was on pace for a career year in receptions and would have likely garnered significant interest on the free agent market.

Acquired from the Buffalo Bills in April in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick, the Texans voided the final three years of Diggs’ previous contract, thus making him a free agent in 2025. Houston could bring him back on a team-friendly two-year deal and let him rest building up to the 2025 campaign.

Other teams could be willing to pay more even with the injury playing a factor. Despite his injury, the 31-year-old remains a reliable weapon and consistent chain-mover as a low-end No. 1 or high-end No. 2 threat.

If Diggs were to test free agency, he’d had options. Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report predicted one of those options to be Tampa Bay as the new No. 2 target for Baker Mayfield over Chris Godwin.

The other options? A return to the Empire State on a new deal with the New York Giants.

A short-term “prove-it” deal could make the Maryland product one of the best bargains of the offseason, though, as he had shown no signs of decline before the injury.

Diggs could be a sneaky target for the Buccaneers, should they lose Chris Godwin in free agency. They are projected to have $31.1 million in cap space, and Diggs might accept an incentive-laden contract that fits with their financial plan.

The New York Giants would also make a ton of sense for Diggs. New York may pivot to a new quarterback in 2025, and Diggs could serve as a high-end No. 2 receiver opposite Malik Nabers—Darius Slayton is set to be a free agent.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll spent two seasons coaching Diggs as Buffalo’s offensive coordinator.

In eight games, Diggs caught a team-leading 47 passes for 496 yards and three touchdowns. He’s a wild card due to injury, but he’s also proven to be a high-upside target in the right offense, having been a year removed from a near 1,2000-yard campaign in Buffalo.

The Texans (6-4) take on the Dallas Cowboys (3-7) this Monday night on ESPN. Kickoff from AT&T Stadium is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.

Stefon Diggs injury vs Colts: Latest news on Texans WR

The Houston Texans will be without Stefon Diggs for the remainder of Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

The Houston Texans will be without Stefon Diggs for the rest of Sunday’s divisional matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.

They could be without him for longer depending on the severity of the injury.

Diggs left during the third quarter after suffering a knee injury on a non-contact play and immediately received medical attention from the training staff. He was helped off the field and headed to the locker room for further evaluation.

Stefon Diggs injury update

Diggs, who’s taken over the Texans’ top target with Nico Collins sidelined, tried to break free on a route while in coverage against Colts second-year cornerback Kenny Moore in the slot. Trainers checked on him for several minutes before helping him off the field.

The Texans officially ruled it a knee injury and listed him as out for the remainder of the game. This was the same knee he injured in 2021 and 2016 and missed multiple games.

How long will Stefon Diggs be out?

Any non-contact injury could be crushing. Diggs will undergo further testing to see if it’s a torn ACL or potential sprain. With the Texans on a short week, it’s likely that Diggs won’t play on Thursday Night Football against the New York Jets.

Everything else for the remainder of the season remains a mystery.

Stefon Diggs stats

Diggs, who the Texans traded for this offseason following a four-year stay with the Buffalo Bills, had become C.J. Stroud’s go-to target with Collins sidelined because of a hamstring injury. Through seven games, he had 42 catches for 415 yards and three receiving touchdowns.

Diggs also has two rushes for 12 yards and a touchdown as well. Before leaving Sunday’s contest, Diggs led the Texans with five catches for 81 yards.

Texans wide receiver depth chart

With Collins already out, the Texans are down to three receivers who have played decent reps. Tank Dell, who caught a touchdown pass in the second quarter, will take over as the new No. 1 option.

Houston also has Xavier Hutchinson and John Metchie III, plus tight ends Dalton Schultz and Cade Stover.

Texans WR Stefon Diggs shares awkward moment with Bills QB Josh Allen after win

Well, that was just awkward for everyone involved Sunday afternoon.

Well, that was awkward for everyone involved.

Following the Houston Texans’ 23-20 win over the Buffalo Bills, many began to wonder what would be the reaction to Josh Allen’s meeting with Stefon Diggs.

The meeting was brief. Very brief. In fact, in the days of the internet, perhaps it shouldn’t have happened at all.

Allen greeted Diggs with a quick, silent handshake and moved to the locker room. Diggs shook it and gave Allen two taps on his back.

Then they went their separate ways but not before the camera caught Diggs giving Allen one of the meanest side-eyes in recent memory.

It was a professional and unceremonious reunion, but the internet couldn’t stop talking about the awkward moment.

“I can’t say I didn’t think about this game when I got traded,” Diggs said. “I held it in all week energy-wise. I just try to keep it professional but obviously in the back of my mind it meant a lot to me. I wanted to do more showing than telling.”

Much like in real-life breakups, the departure of Diggs from Buffalo was heartbreaking for fans. Someone had come out looking like a winner while the other remained down in the dumps in the first face-off.

On Sunday, Diggs was the winner. He finished with six catches for 82 yards as Houston improved to 4-1. Meanwhile, Allen went 9 of 30 for 131 yards and a touchdown.

No Bills’ pass-catcher went for over 49 receiving yards, and it came with Keon Coleman’s score in the third quarter. Coleman, Mack Hollins, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Curtis Samuel totaled four combined catches on 18 targets for 76 yards, six fewer than Diggs overall.

“He’s on their team and is a great player and made some good plays tonight for them,” Allen said postgame. “He was on the winning team.”

When traded to Buffalo in 2020, Diggs became the backbone of the Bills’ offense and the top weapon in Allen’s growth. Over his four Pro Bowl seasons, the duo combined for 445 completed, 5,372 yards, and 37 touchdown catches.

Allen and the Bills might have lost the battle but still could win the war en route to securing their sixth consecutive division title. Diggs, however, could be looking forward to a postseason rematch as he becomes the security blanket for another young passer in C.J. Stroud.

The Texans travel to Foxborough to take on the New England Patriots this Sunday at noon CT.

Josh Allen takes percieved shot at former teammate, current Texans WR Stefon Diggs

Josh Allen might have doused a bit more fuel on the fire heading into Week 5’s matchup against the Houston Texans.

Did Josh Allen add a bit more fuel to the fire in Week 5’s matchup against former teammate Stefon Diggs and the Houston Texans?

It certainly seemed that way based on his comments Monday night following a 47-10 thrashing over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Allen, perhaps the early MVP favorite, credited his receivers for making life a breeze at Highmark Stadium on Monday Night Football. He also mentioned how his new cast of pass-catchers aren’t always trying to pad their stats.

“It’s a fun and wonderful thing when you got a bunch of guys that don’t care about the stats, they don’t care about the touchdowns,” Allen told the local media. “And again, I think, throughout practice, we’ve just had this mindset of, ‘Hey, let’s just do things the right way, and find ways to win football games,’ and that’s what we’re doing right now.”

To be fair, Diggs’ name wasn’t mentioned. Also, Allen played against former teammate Gabe Davis, who signed a massive contract in the offseason to leave Western New York to join forces with Trevor Lawrence.

Still, Diggs’ frustration with the offense led to his eventual trade to the Texans this offseason. After the firing of Ken Dorsey, Diggs’ production took a significant dip, leading to 12 consecutive sub-100-yard games.

In two playoff games, Diggs combined for less than 100 yards and 10 catches.

While Buffalo might not have a top-tier target on the roster, it’s been the definition of consistent when scoring. The Bills have scored at least 31 points, with Allen posting a pair of multi-touchdown games.

He’s also yet to throw an interception and currently leads the NFL in passer rating (133.7) while ranking second in completion percentage (75.0).

Diggs, who currently is in a contract year after the Texans voided the final three years on his contract, might be hitting his stride at the right time. Nico Collins leads the NFL in receiving yards, but Diggs leads the Texans in receptions with 20.

In Sunday’s loss against the Minnesota Vikings, Diggs posted a season-high 10 catches on 12 targets for 90 yards.

Houston plays host to the Bills in two weeks after returning this Sunday to take on the Jaguars this Sunday at noon.

Texans training camp: C.J. Stroud and Stefon Diggs connection continues to blossom

Stefon Diggs might have been run out of town last year in Buffalo, but he’s running his way to being the Houston Texans’ No. 1 target in 2024.

Stefon Diggs was brought over from Buffalo to help the Houston Texans extend their explosive passing attack.

On Wednesday, the can’t-miss plays reached a new level.

Diggs and second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud looked in sync deep downfield as the duo connected for a pair of touchdown passes. One went for 40 yards. The other went for 60.

Even with Nico Collins and Tank Dell on the roster, Diggs remains the top name nationally. And even after a sluggish finish to his time in Buffalo, the 30-year-old still looks like a prominent No. 1 receiver and nightmare in man coverage for defensive backs.

“He’s got wicked hands, like wicked hands,” Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke said following Wednesday’s practice. When the ball’s in his vicinity, he can snatch it.”

Diggs, a four-time Pro Bowl target for Josh Allen, isn’t slowing down. During one-on-one drills, he bested rookie cornerback Kamari Lassiter all three times, though one of the passes went out of bounds.

He’s also held his own against Derek Stingley Jr. in coverage. He’s lost a few reps. He’s also won more now with extensive reps alongside Stroud.

“The amount of times those two have put in together with no one else around, with no one watching, no video cameras filming for coaches, you guys not here, they are making sure they are putting the work in,” Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said. “We know that and we have seen it a lot of times before it comes to fruition and practice in team periods. You can see it in routes on air.”

Diggs needed a fresh start after another playoff loss in Buffalo. His role decreased after the Bills fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey and promoted quarterbacks coach Joe Brady.

Even with a lackluster end, Diggs still finished with 107 receptions for 1,183 yards and eight touchdowns. He was on pace for an All-Pro year before Dorsey’s departure and has posted six consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns since 2019 with the Vikings.

“He’s got some of the better hands I’ve seen, and then just his ability to get open from an understanding standpoint and [his] route-running, it’s impressive,” Burke said.

So far, Diggs’ role on gamedays has been limited. He didn’t suit up with the rest of the starters in the Hall of Fame game. Last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he played two drives and wasn’t targeted in a 20-12 win.

Starters will play on Saturday against the New York Giants in the preseason home opener and Diggs is expected to see more action. Perhaps fans will finally see him reach the end zone for six points.

If they don’t on Saturday, they’ll have 17 games to catch him this fall. Even with Collins and Dell, Diggs has delivered in practice.

He plans to deliver on Sundays, too.

New Texans WR Stefon Diggs says goodbye to Buffalo, Bills Mafia

Stefon Diggs said goodbye to the Buffalo Bills after a four-year stay before joining the Houston Texans.

Stefon Diggs is excited to be a mainstay with the Houston Texans beginning in 2024, but before he starts hauling in touchdowns from C.J. Stroud, he must say goodbye to Buffalo.

Diggs, who spent the previous four seasons as the Bills’ top weapon, penned his farewell to Western New York via Instagram, thanking them for embracing him as not just a player, but also a personality on and off the field.

“I can’t begin to express the amount of love and respect I have for the city of Buffalo,” he wrote in the post, accompanied by a photo of himself in a Bills uniform. “Four of the best years of my life, the city welcomed me with open arms. I’m forever grateful for you all and the [Buffalo Bills] organization! Something special was built over these years with some very special men, that will always have a place in my heart.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5UjuNfRCLP/

Traded for a 2025 second-round pick, Diggs receives a fresh start with an emerging team looking to go from AFC division winner to legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

Consider the four-time Pro Bowl pass-catcher the final piece to the offseason puzzle. General manager Nick Caserio embraced Stroud’s miniscule contract and built around the Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Houston brought back tight end Dalton Schultz on a three-year, $36 million contract. They also traded a seventh-round pick to the Cincinnati Bengals for running back Joe Mixon before quickly inking him to a three-year extension worth up to $27 million.

Diggs, who could be under contract through 2027 if the Texans pick up his option following the season, was consistent during his time with the Bills. He caught over 100 passes per year and finished with at least 1,180 yards and eight TDs.

Reports surfaced last offseason that Diggs was unhappy with his situation in Buffalo following another playoff loss.  The two sides moved past the summer drama by training and Diggs finished the year with 107 receptions for 1,183 yards and eight scores.

After another loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round, Diggs said his future with the Bills was on a “day by day” basis.

The Texans don’t need Diggs to be the 2020 version of himself. Being a quality second option opposite 2023 breakout star Nico Collins shouldn’t be a tall ask. Stroud, who led the NFL in touchdown-to-interception ratio (23:5) is looking to build off a promising rookie campaign.

Diggs, 30, can be another security blanket on the perimeter for Stroud and a vocal presence in the locker room. While his time with the Bills soured, his feelings for the fans remain at an all-time high.

“Billsmafia, so many great memories created throughout the years. Those games were crazy because of you,” Diggs posted. “Sadly good things come to an end until we meet again.”