Stefon Diggs, a four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, was dealt by the Buffalo Bills to the Houston Texans on Wednesday in exchange for a draft selection.
Diggs was acquired by the Bills in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round pick (No. 189 overall), a 2025 fifth-round selection, and a 2025 second-round choice (via the Minnesota Vikings). When the Texans sent their 2024 first-round selection to Minnesota last month, they got the choice from the Vikings.
The deal was made the day after Diggs said, “You sure?” in response to a comment on social media claiming that Josh Allen, the quarterback for the Bills, didn’t need him.
General manager of the Buffalo Bills Brandon Beane remarked on Wednesday, “I want to thank Stef for four really good seasons.” I really appreciate everything that he contributed to the squad; he played a significant role in our four division victories. These transitions are never simple. really difficult. Not created overnight or anything, but whenever you take a step like this, you’re attempting to win, and sometimes people may not see that.”The Bills are not giving up, attempting to regress, or anything of the kind with this. Our goal in all we do is to succeed. And that’s what we will keep doing.”
Beane wouldn’t disclose whether Diggs or his representative asked for a trade.
Later on Wednesday night, Diggs turned to Instagram to thank the Bills organization and supporters, writing: “I have so much love and respect for Buffalo that words cannot begin to describe.” It was the city that gave me four of the finest years of my life. I will always be grateful to the Buffalo Bills organization and all of you! Over the years, I have established something very unique with some very special guys who will always have a particular place in my heart. Bill’s mafia: so many wonderful memories accumulated throughout the years. You were the reason those games were so insane. The pleasant times sadly come to an end till we cross paths again.”
The Texans are surrounding quarterback C.J. Stroud with seasoned talent this summer, and this is just their latest win-now move.
Joe Mixon, a running back, was acquired by the Texans last month via trade from the Cincinnati Bengals. He then signed a $27 million, three-year contract deal with the team. They also made a big impact on defense when they signed Danielle Hunter, a highly skilled pass-rusher, to a two-year, $49 million deal that included a $48 million guaranteed clause.
The 30-year-old Diggs joins a potent Texans offense that features Mixon, receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell, tight end Dalton Schultz, and quarterback Ryan Stroud, the NFL’s reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Dell was headed for 1,205 receiving yards in the 2023 season until he sustained a season-ending injury in Week 13’s first quarter against the Denver Broncos. With 709 passing yards, Dell and Stroud had the eighth-highest total for a quarterback and wide receiver in their first season. Collins has eight touchdowns and was seventh in the league in receiving yards (1,297).
The Texans made an attempt to acquire Keenan Allen last month by offering a Day 2 choice in the 2025 draft. In order to support Stroud in his second season, the Texans were keen to strengthen their receiving core, as seen by the trade of Allen to the Chicago Bears by the Los Angeles Chargers.
In contrast, the Bills have let go of a number of veterans this summer. As salary cap moves, Buffalo cut starter center Mitch Morse and defensive linemen Tre’Davious White and Jordan Poyer. Additionally, outside linebacker Leonard Floyd inked a free agent contract with the San Francisco 49ers, while receiver Gabriel Davis signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Diggs had made it clear in the media last season that he was committed to the Bills and would want to end his career with them. In April 2022, the three-time captain agreed to a $104 million, four-year contract deal.
After trading for Diggs, the Bills will be responsible for $31.096 million in dead money the following season, according the Roster Management System. Based on analysis by ESPN Stats & Information, it will be the largest known dead money charge ever for a wide receiver in any season.
“The timing is the value that you’re being offered for the player versus what you think is fair, and you’re always looking not only at this year, but you’re always looking in future years as well,” Beane said. “I believe that everyone is aware of the pay cap and our situation going into this league year. Indeed, we will give up a little bit this year, but it also removes over $27 million off our cap and increases our future flexibility.”
Coach Sean McDermott “excused” wide receiver Josh Diggs from the team’s obligatory minicamp last year, stating that he believed the situation with the top receiver was “resolved.” His statement that he was “very concerned” about Diggs’ disappearance was made a day earlier.
“Stef is a very competitive guy, and I wouldn’t want to change that for him, and I don’t think that was something that when we acquired him, I think we were very aware of his competitive nature,” Beane said. “… When you make a decision like this, it’s generally you know, unless someone broke the law and did something very bad, and it’s generally not one thing. … Making the decision, and you’re considering all factors.”
Throughout the season, Diggs expressed his loyalty to the Bills, stating in November, “I have never really said that I am dissatisfied or anything like that. It sort of puts a wrench in it, so that’s what bothers me when you’re making assumptions about things I haven’t stated. In places that I haven’t produced, it sort of causes chaos.”Even though I was merely in the same location, there was chaos all around me, and I had spoken honest things. I’ve repeated the same remarks again. I’ve never stated this, but I was a Buffalo Bill, so that’s something to consider when determining how I feel about my feelings for the foreseeable future here. I put all into it. I play this game like a professional because I am one.”
Diggs was at the time removing himself from tweets sent by his brother, Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs, which included the following: “Man 14 I had to leave that place.”
The 2023 season saw Stefon Diggs’ output decline after the first six games. For the remainder of the season, he only caught three more touchdowns and did not have another receiving game over 100 yards. In the last seven games of the previous season, which included the playoffs, Diggs averaged 41.0 receiving yards with 0 touchdowns for the Bills. Diggs has never gone seven games in a row without a touchdown in his career.
After the season, Beane said that Diggs remained in his estimation as the top receiver.
During his tenure with the Vikings, Diggs broke several milestones for the organization and the league. Among the four players in NFL history to record four straight seasons with 100-plus catches include Antonio Brown, Davante Adams, and Marvin Harrison.
Allen’s performance began to perk up in 2020, the same year he was acquired (in a deal with the Vikings that also provided the Bills’ first-round selection). With 137 throwing touchdowns throughout that time, Allen has the second-best total QBR in the NFL, only surpassed by Patrick Mahomes.
Along with Tyreek Hill, Diggs is one of two receivers who have been chosen for the Pro Bowl in each of the last four seasons.
Following Diggs’ trade, the Washington Commanders’ Curtis Samuel, the Atlanta Falcons’ Mack Hollins, and Buffalo’s Khalil Shakir—who finished the previous season with 39 catches for 611 yards and two touchdowns—are the top three players on the Bills depth chart.
Beane mentioned the team’s roster as a work in progress many times on Wednesday.
“Have we improved today? Most likely not. We’ll keep working on it since it’s still a work in progress. Beane expressed his want for people to understand that he is very competitive and won’t back down. “… [We’ll] be ready to roll when it comes time in September.”
ESPN BET changed the Texans from +140 to +115 to win the AFC South, from 11-1 to +750 to win the AFC, and from 22-1 to 18-1 to win the Super Bowl after the trade announcement. In the meanwhile, the Bills went from +60 to +750 to win the AFC, from +135 to +160 to win the AFC East, and from 12-1 to 13-1 to win the Super Bowl.
Next season, Diggs will play against his former club when the Texans visit the Bills at NRG Stadium. The 2024 schedule, which is probably going to be announced in May, will provide the game’s date.
More in Sports: https://buzzing.today/sports/
Photo Credits: https://commons.wikimedia.org/