Texans WR Stefon Diggs grateful for time in Buffalo despite ‘ups and downs,’ ‘happy’ to be in Houston

Diggs truly flourished in Buffalo, where in four seasons he surpassed his total recorded in five years in Minnesota. But Diggs’ departure could happen within a while. He expressed displeasure and frustration with Buffalo’s repeated failures to finish the playoffs deep with Super Bowl appearances, and during the mandatory minicamp in 2023, a brief absence caused an internal problem that forced Allen to respond for his teammate.

Still, the production was worth the antics and the $104 million owed to Diggs over four years. When that was no longer true — like when Joe Brady replaced Ken Dorsey as offensive coordinator during the 2023 season and Diggs’ usage declined significantly — the time came to move Diggs.

The receiver said he believed that in 2023 a separation would occur at some point.

“We had our ups and downs, especially after the first eight (games). We had a coaching change and different things went different ways, different schemes,” Diggs said. “You know the ups and downs. But for me, you kind of felt it in the air. When I got traded, I was happy. I was in a good position. Like I got said, I told God to light my way and here I am So he makes no mistake.

Houston not only nabbed Diggs via trade, but also followed that move up by tearing up his existing contract and signing him to a new one-year deal that gives Diggs a chance to earn another salary in 2025, if he proves worthy in 2024.

“What I saw was a guy I thought I had,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Tuesday of Diggs. “A guy who made plays and every time we threw the ball to him, he recovered it. A confident guy. A very good teammate, great energy in the building and in the locker room with the guys. So I’m excited to continue to see its growth.

Quarterback CJ Stroud set the league on fire in his rookie season, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year in a landslide and even garnering outside consideration for NFL Most Valuable Player . He did this by teaming up with Nico Collins, Robert Woods, Dalton Schultz and compatriot Tank Dell. Adding Diggs to this group was huge.

If Stroud begins 2024 picking up where he left off last season, the new collaboration should produce big numbers for both sides.

“He’s fit in really well. He’s come in with his head down and he’s just working,” Stroud said of Diggs. “He helps me a lot. … He came in and was a leader, and I’m proud of him. He was really selfless and wanted to see the other guys eat. That was his main goal – he wanted to be with other dogs. He took on this role where there’s a dog everywhere. He wanted it and that’s what we bring to the table.

Diggs is undoubtedly fortunate to have cycled through not one, but two dog-like quarterbacks during his career in Allen and Stroud. As Houston stocks up on talent around Stroud, the Texans should aim to run out of room at the kennel. Order dry food and bones in bulk. For Texans, 2024 is eating time.