Things Already Got Funky with Stefon Diggs on New Team
Former Minnesota Vikings wideout Stefon Diggs joined the Houston Texans on Wednesday via trade, as Houston received Diggs, a 2024 6th-Rounder, and a 2025 5th-Rounder in exchange for a 2024 2nd-Round pick to Buffalo.
Things Already Got Funky with Stefon Diggs on New Team
The move made Houston incredibly prolific on offense, furthering the Texans’ claim to fame as a here-and-now Super Bowl contender.
But things already got funky with Diggs in Houston: the man can become a free agent as soon as next offseason despite showcasing three years on his deal when the trade occurred.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted Thursday, “Added incentive for Stefon Diggs: As part of the Buffalo-Houston trade, the Texans wiped out the final three years on Diggs’ contract, giving him the ability to become a free agent after this season, league sources tell ESPN.”
Diggs is now part of a top-notch WR room in Houston, including Nico Collins and Tank Dell, the best corps in the sport pound for pound.
“The Texans also took the $3.5 million guaranteed to Diggs next season and moved up into this season, giving him a raise and assuring him of $22.52 million in guaranteed money in 2024. But if Diggs plays the way he wants, and Houston hopes, he will hit the free-agent market next offseason with the ability to make it count. Houston now anticipates getting the best version of Stefon Diggs,” Schefter added.
The Texans mark three teams for Diggs since the start of 2019 — the Vikings, Bills, and Texans. Diggs should be available to contend for a Super Bowl immediately in Houston, a luxury he experienced for four years in Buffalo.
Schefter finished by posting one follow-up tweet on the matter, “So essentially, Houston traded a second-round pick to secure Stefon Diggs’ services for one season. Diggs now had added incentive to give the Texans the best version of himself, on and off the field. Diggs now is in position to have the ability to negotiate yet another long-term contract.”
Houston’s maneuver gives the franchise flexibility while affording Diggs the chance to cash in during 2025 free agency if he thrives as a Texan. The NFL market constantly resets and trends upward, so Diggs can easily demand a large payday in 11 months.
Houston, too, would possibly be eligible for a compensatory draft pick if Diggs bolts next March, making Wednesday’s trade close to free or akin to player rental.
Diggs will turn 31 in November.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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