DeMeco Ryans wanted to see wide receiver Stefon Diggs back in a Houston Texans uniform after a successful eight-game run last season, but he knew that teams would interested in the four-time Pro Bowler on the open market.
Ultimately, Diggs and the Texans never could see eye to eye on the financial parameters of a new deal. Instead, the two-time All-Pro and joined the New England Patriots on a three-year deal worth $69 million, taking over as the new top weapon for second-year breakout star Drake Maye under new coach Mike Vrabel.
While the Texans will be fine in the slot after trading a future Day 3 pick for Christian Kirk from Jacksonville, a reunion with Diggs could have altered the path of their offense in Year 3 under C.J. Stroud. Still, at least Ryans can sleep knowing the team did everything it could to at least discuss Diggs' potential return to the program.
“It was a pleasure working with Stefon,” 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."
The money saved on Diggs' projected $23 million annual salary was used elsewhere internally. Houston inked All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. to a three-year extension, making him the highest-paid cornerback at $30 million annually. The Texans also extended All-Pro defensive end Danielle Hunter on a one-year deal to make him the second-highest paid defensive player in annual salary.
While the moves will benefit a surging top-five defense, the Texans offense would have loved to have seen Diggs in full form for 17 games. He was limited to eight outings during his long season as the No. 2 target after suffering a torn ACL in a win over the Indianapolis Colts, finishing the year with just 47 catches for 496 yards ...
