Stefon Diggs wasted no time in making an impact with the Houston Texans, striking a significant deal to secure his preferred jersey number from a teammate.
Upon his trade from the Buffalo Bills to the Texans, Diggs promptly paid defensive back Jimmie Ward $100,000 (£78,000) for his No. 1 jersey, the same number Diggs wore during his college days at Maryland. ESPN reports that Ward has transitioned to wearing No. 20, the number he previously wore with the San Francisco 49ers.
This decision reflects Diggs’ previous contemplation of a jersey number change. In 2021, when the NFL allowed wide receivers to wear single-digit numbers, he considered switching to No. 1 with the Bills but opted against it out of consideration for fans who had already purchased his jersey.
The 30-year-old, who previously wore No. 14 with the Bills and the Minnesota Vikings, was traded to Houston in exchange for 2025 second and fifth-round draft picks, along with a 2024 sixth-rounder. This move marks the conclusion of a tumultuous period for Diggs in Western New York.
During his tenure in Orchard Park, Diggs amassed an impressive four 1,000-yard receiving seasons and scored 37 regular-season touchdowns. His outstanding performances led to him receiving first-team All-Pro honors in 2020 and earning four trips to the Pro Bowl.
However, despite his on-field success, Diggs occasionally found himself in the spotlight for his unpredictable behavior and the tension it created with his Bills teammates. This tension was exacerbated by his activity on social media, as well as that of his brother Trevon, who is a standout player for the Dallas Cowboys.
Nevertheless, Diggs possesses the potential to make a significant impact for the Texans. The duo of rookie head coach DeMeco Ryans and quarterback C.J. Stroud enjoyed immediate success at NRG Stadium last season, reaching the divisional round of the playoffs. Stroud’s remarkable debut campaign earned him the title of Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Diggs’ capacity to drive the ball downfield and connect with his wide receivers for explosive plays aligns perfectly with the Texans’ offensive strategy as they aim to defend their AFC South title and pursue a deeper playoff run next season.
However, it’s evident that the Texans are currently considering a short-term arrangement with Diggs. Following the completion of the trade with the Bills, Houston made adjustments to Diggs’ contract, boosting his base salary for 2024 from $18 million to $22.52 million (£17.8m).
Yet, they opted to void the final three years of his contract, indicating that Diggs will become a free agent in 2025, allowing him to explore opportunities in the open market.
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