PALM BEACH, Fla. – Before veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs ran a fly pattern in free agency and touched down with the New England Patriots on a three-year, $69 million contract, the Texans held multiple conversations with him about potentially running it back together.
Ultimately, Diggs and the Texans had different financial parameters and he joined the Patriots on a deal that includes a $12 million signing bonus, a base salary of $2.9 million and an additional $200,000 in per game active roster bonuses up to $3.4 million. That’s significant injury protection for the Patriots and new coach Mike Vrabel considering that Diggs tore his anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in late October against the Indianapolis Colts.
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Yes, it’s true the Texans wanted Diggs back and there’s optimism surrounding his speedy return with his prodigious work ethic and significant progress in his rehab schedule. He’s already running routes, albeit not at full speed. However, the Texans traded for wide receiver Christian Kirk and return Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins and needed to save money to complete expensive extensions for cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and defensive end Danielle Hunter.
“It was a pleasure working with Stefon,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said at the NFL owners meetings. “He’s one of the best competitors I’ve been around. He brought a ton of great energy to practice. He’s a worker. He loves to work. Being a veteran guy, he showed up every day playing hard in practice and showing up in the games. You could count on him on third downs, especially in those critical moments.
“For me, it’s always tough anytime you see any guys go down. Stef, being one of our top players on the team, seeing him go down noncontact, it was really difficult to see and he’s been working hard in the offseason. We don’t want to get rid of good players. Stef is a good player. It’s hard to see him go. Wanted to get him back , it didn’t work out that way. Wishing him well in New England.”
The value Diggs displayed as a team captain and a reliable pass-catching threat were sorely missed by the Texans when he hurt his knee.
Although the Texans left the door open for Diggs’ return and he was well-liked in the locker room, his injury and age were actors against extending their business relationship, Instead, Diggs heads back to the AFC East one year after being acquired in a trade from the Buffalo Bills.
The Texans were 5-1 when Diggs, Collins and Tank Dell were in the lineup together. That was before Collins pulled his hamstring while catching a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills and missed the next five games. In December, Dell suffered a devastating knee injury against the Kansas City Chiefs that has him expected to miss the entire 2025 season.
Diggs ranked seventh in the NFL in catches when he got hurt. He ranked second on the team in yards.
Diggs, 31, caught 47 passes for 496 yards and three touchdowns and was on pace for 100 catches and 1,000 yards before he injured his knee.
“I would have been on pace to have a 1,000-yard season and 100 catches if I didn’t get banged up,” Diggs said at his introductory press conference. “If you’re doing the math right, I would be productive.”
Diggs would regularly hold court with his teammates, exchanging jokes and jabs in a fun-loving manner. Diggs emerged as a popular figure in the locker room, voted a team captain in balloting by his teammates.
On the field, the four-time Pro Bowl selection ran crisp routes, creating separation and delivered as a reliable pass-catching option even though he wasn’t a deep threat. By all accounts, his trade from the Bills provided a strong fit from a chemistry and playing standpoint.
A year ago, the Texans traded a second-round draft pick to acquire Diggs and sixth-round and fifth-round selections.
“Stefon brings an energy to him,” Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said at the NFL meetings. “It’s fun to coach players like that, guys that have a confidence to them, that understand the game of football, that have been around, that have developed. I love his energy. I love our conversation so far and am
Two high-profile wide receivers are available for trades currently: the Los Angeles Rams’ Cooper Kupp and the San Francisco 49ers’ Deebo Samuel.
Diggs genuinely loved playing and being in Houston.
In his final game playing last season for the Texans, Diggs caught five passes for 81 yards, including a 49-yard reception, on nine targets, for one of his bigger games since joining the team.
When he’s healthy, Diggs is one of the most productive and polished wide receivers in the game.
His route running is pinpoint.
His hands are reliable.
He’s a physical and willing blocker.
And he fit into the Texans’ team concept all year.
About the only blip on the radar screen was a feisty moment when he nearly got into a fight with Green Bay Packers players including cornerback Jaire Alexander before a loss at Lambeau Field. Other than that game, Diggs’ composure and professionalism were all pluses.
Now, he moves on to New England.
“At the end of the year, we can have a great conversation on where the ball fell and how many numbers I have,” Diggs said. “Throughout the year, I try not to worry about it.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.
