The Houston Texans had already earned their title as the NFL’s “up-and-coming team,” regardless of their changes this offseason, but that’s exactly what made the signing of Stefon Diggs in April even more interesting.
Spend a day at Texans practice (as I did when the team practiced in Cleveland this week) and one thing is clear: Physically, Diggs has a lot left in the tank. The Diggs-CJ Stroud combination will pose a problem for opponents — but that wasn’t really in question. Even after getting fewer targets late last season after the Bills switched from Ken Dorsey to Joe Brady as offensive coordinator, Diggs surpassed the 100-catch mark for the fourth consecutive season.
one of wun 🫡 pic.twitter.com/WPayM4IXHT
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) May 30, 2024
The more pressing question surrounding Diggs was whether he was the right fit for the very talented but very young Texans after some bitterness upon his departure in Minnesota and then in Buffalo.
Things couldn’t be going better for the Texans with their new star wideout. Diggs has gained new momentum through the transfer and is a positive force for the Texans on and off the field.
I’ve followed Diggs since his days at the University of Maryland, and I can say that when we met Monday, he was happier than he’s ever been. He realizes that at 30 years old, he has to be a leader on this team. You can see that in the way he interacts with his teammates on the field, he’s full of encouragement and encouragement. Several people have told me Diggs gets along well with the coaching staff as well. Receivers coach Ben McDaniels emphasized that he has been a vocal leader in what McDaniels describes as a “professional” receiver room. When I asked Diggs about the young talent in that receiver room, particularly Nico Collins and Tank Dell, his smile grew wider as he raved about their talent and work ethic.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans didn’t hold back when asked about his team’s newest star: “I love Diggs. He’s a tremendous leader, a tremendous player and a tremendous person.”
Of course, it’s August, and we tend to get swept up in optimism this time of year. Many of those good vibes were there when Diggs arrived in Buffalo four years ago. I asked Ryans: What if this version of Diggs doesn’t last? What if he becomes a problem as the season progresses?
Ryan’s answer was as direct as the question: “I don’t have to worry about that. I’ve never had any problems with players in that regard… (Diggs) is a guy who loves football. I want 90 guys on our team that love football. So I tell our team I want to see more guys with that urgency and energy like Stef. I’m not worried about him.”
Diggs told me one of his goals is to be named team captain in Houston, a position he held in Buffalo. “I’d say he’s on a good path,” Ryans said.
My main impression of Diggs this summer: He is focused. He is giving it everything he has done in his career so far. He knows what we all believe: This Texans team has a chance to be something special.
(Top photo: Troy Taormina / USA Today)
