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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 and three TDs.
“For me, it’s always tough anytime you see any guys go down. Stef, being one of our top players on the team, seeing him go down noncontact," Ryans said. "It was really difficult to see and he’s been working hard in the offseason. We don’t want to get rid of good players. Stef is a good player. It’s hard to see him go. [We] wanted to get him back, it didn’t work out that way. Wishing him well in New England.”
That injury factored into his new deal with the Patriots. With the opt-outs, the contract is for one year and includes a $12 million signing bonus, a base salary of $2.9 million and an additional $200,000 in per game active roster bonuses up to $3.4 million.
As Diggs begins a new chapter in New England, the Texans start over in Houston. The plan is to target at least one receiver to join a crew that features Kirk, Nico Collins, John Metchie III, Braxton Berrios, Justin Watson and Xavier Hutchinson for the 2025 campaign. Tank Dell isn't leaving the roster, but his long-term status for next season remains a mystery after suffering a significant knee injury in December.
Diggs would have elevated the locker room for his leadership and pristine route-running, but Houston remains in good spirits. While a deal didn't work out for the long haul, it worked for what was needed.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans: DeMeco Ryans wanted WR Stefon Diggs back before Patriots deal
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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 and three TDs.
“For me, it’s always tough anytime you see any guys go down. Stef, being one of our top players on the team, seeing him go down noncontact," Ryans said. "It was really difficult to see and he’s been working hard in the offseason. We don’t want to get rid of good players. Stef is a good player. It’s hard to see him go. [We] wanted to get him back, it didn’t work out that way. Wishing him well in New England.”
That injury factored into his new deal with the Patriots. With the opt-outs, the contract is for one year and includes a $12 million signing bonus, a base salary of $2.9 million and an additional $200,000 in per game active roster bonuses up to $3.4 million.
As Diggs begins a new chapter in New England, the Texans start over in Houston. The plan is to target at least one receiver to join a crew that features Kirk, Nico Collins, John Metchie III, Braxton Berrios, Justin Watson and Xavier Hutchinson for the 2025 campaign. Tank Dell isn't leaving the roster, but his long-term status for next season remains a mystery after suffering a significant knee injury in December.
Diggs would have elevated the locker room for his leadership and pristine route-running, but Houston remains in good spirits. While a deal didn't work out for the long haul, it worked for what was needed.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans: DeMeco Ryans wanted WR Stefon Diggs back before Patriots deal
Continue reading...
