In an interview with GQ, published on September 3, Stefon Diggs (WR, Texans) looked back on his last season with the Buffalo Bills. Traded to the Texans during this offseason, this new adventure clearly comes at the right time for the receiver.
“Last year I was in the worst state of mind I've been in since I've been in the league,” Diggs said in the interview.
“If I’m not in the right frame of mind, it’s obviously not the best for me. So that’s when things had to start moving.”
Tensions since the minicamps
As a reminder, tensions between the Buffalo franchise and Stefon Diggs had already appeared during the mandatory minicamps before the 2023 season. The player did not show up to these camps. Which, at the time, worried his coach.
A situation that seemed to return to normal with his presence a few days later. Diggs' start to the 2023 season also showed nothing with 620 receiving yards in six games. But the end of the season was more complicated and probably because of something behind the scenes as the player suggests.
“You can't roll out of bed and get 800 yards in the first eight games. Your best receiver does that. Tell me about the last 10 games. What's changed? Has there been any change? I just pay attention to what's actually happened and not what people are trying to make out. Like, in the last 10 games, have I forgotten how to play football?”
Stefon Diggs already knew the ending
In a follow-up to the question with GQ, Stefon Diggs clarifies that he knew from the beginning how it was going to end.
“We had discussions with Buffalo. We knew where things were going — I did, at least. The outside world had so much speculation. I knew, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year to the offseason, exactly what was going on. Not too much confusion on my end.”
Which will not push him to say more about the causes of the tensions and his departure.
“I'm a professional. I believe in professionalism. You don't have to badmouth your ex-girlfriend to your new girlfriend.”
A year to prove
Shortly after arriving in Texas, Houston restructured Diggs' contract so that he only has one year left. Thus, the 2024 season will be a pivotal year for the receiver to prove his renewal in this new environment. In this case, the young CJ Stroud will be able to hope for a new target of choice.
After the 2024 season, Stefon Diggs will therefore be a free agent unless the Texans wish to extend his contract.
