In a shocking move, the Buffalo Bills have finalized a trade to send four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans in exchange for draft-pick compensation.
The deal, which is currently pending official announcement, will see the Bills receive a 2025 second-round pick from the Texans (via the Minnesota Vikings), along with a 2024 sixth-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick.
.@stefondiggs is H-Town bound 🔥 pic.twitter.com/118rhXLydc
— NFL (@NFL) April 3, 2024
The trade comes hot on the heels of a social media interaction where Diggs responded to a user’s assertion that he wasn’t crucial to Bills quarterback Josh Allen’s success, with a sharp “You sure?” response.
Stefon Diggs making Bills fan sweat on Twitter again. He replied “you sure” to a fan who questioned whether Diggs is essential to Josh Allen’s success. pic.twitter.com/bx6XDE81yZ
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) April 3, 2024
It’s no secret that Diggs had fallen out of favor in Buffalo. There have long been rumors of rifts between Diggs and Allen. The graceful harmony they once shared had sharply disappeared over time.
As Diggs’ production went down, his complaining got louder.
stefon diggs: “you sure?”
brandon beane the next morning: pic.twitter.com/6qfhFaZDrI
— Ryan Mura (@RyanMura) April 3, 2024
This trade signifies a bold move by the Texans, as they continue to bolster their roster around quarterback C.J. Stroud with seasoned talent this offseason.
Just last month, the Texans acquired running back Joe Mixon from the Cincinnati Bengals in a trade and promptly inked him to a lucrative three-year, $27 million extension.
On the defensive front, they secured star pass-rusher Danielle Hunter with a hefty two-year, $49 million deal in free agency.
Diggs will now join an already potent Texans offense, featuring Stroud, last season’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, alongside Mixon, receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell, and tight end Dalton Schultz.
From our breaking news segment: The #Bills traded WR Stefon Diggs to the #Texans, who are going all in for 2024 without giving up any draft picks in 2024. pic.twitter.com/Uz78YI6JiR
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 3, 2024
Meanwhile, the Bills have been undergoing some restructuring of their own this offseason, parting ways with several veteran players.
Notably, they released key defensive figures Tre’Davious White and Jordan Poyer, as well as starting center Mitch Morse, in salary cap maneuvers.
Additionally, receiver Gabriel Davis and outside linebacker Leonard Floyd departed in free agency, signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars and San Francisco 49ers, respectively.
Josh Allen watching Stefon Diggs scream at CJ Stroud when he sees 7 in targets instead of 8pic.twitter.com/DrAkyItdS5
— Justin (@Justin_14P) April 3, 2024
Diggs, who had previously expressed his desire to remain with the Bills, signed a substantial four-year, $140 million contract extension back in April 2022.
With his sudden departure, the Bills will incur a dead money charge of $31.096 million for the upcoming season.
Stefon Diggs is no longer a Buffalo Bill. pic.twitter.com/4jBF1n8Otn
— Kyle Brandt (@KyleBrandt) April 3, 2024
Needless to say, the trade woke the football world up on an otherwise quiet day…
“Stroud gonna throw for 5k and 47 touchdowns and win the MVP.”
Stroud gonna throw for 5k and 47 touchdowns and win the MVP
— Colten Maxey (@Mqxey__) April 3, 2024
“cautiously, optimistic selfish Prima donna player if he buys in to culture Ryans is best motivator and coach ever.”
cautiously, optimistic selfish Prima donna player if he buys in to culture Ryans is best motivator and coach ever
— DG (@PhatElvis17) April 3, 2024
“Josh Allen when the Bills replace Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis with Michael Thomas and MVS…”
Josh Allen when the Bills replace Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis with Michael Thomas and MVS pic.twitter.com/uZg7s1aZTP
— james (@futtywap) April 3, 2024
“I think Josh Allen wanted to get this trade done.”
I think Josh Allen wanted to get this trade done
— Total Action Sports Network (@TotalActionSN) April 3, 2024
“The Texans two year turnaround will be talked about in history books.”
The Texans two year turnaround will be talked about in history books
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) April 3, 2024
“He’s washed, Allen gonna thrive without this bum holding him back.”
He’s washed, Allen gonna thrive without this bum holding him back
— ᴅ ʀ ᴇ ᴡ (@FeelLikeDrew) April 3, 2024
“He’s Happy. Diva Diggs was an overrated diva.”
He’s Happy. Diva Diggs was an overrated diva
— Richard Simpson (@krazytexan81) April 3, 2024
“Stefon Diggs, Joe Mixon and Danielle Hunter on the Texans in big 2024…”
Stefon Diggs, Joe Mixon and Danielle Hunter on the Texans in big 2024: pic.twitter.com/CqC5uDzmZM
— 🚶🏾♂️ (@ETNSZN) April 3, 2024
Although one of the biggest names in the sport, the 30-year-old Diggs clearly isn’t the player he once was.
The obvious disconnect and unhappiness shared between he and Allen is what helped put this move in motion.
Although his best years are behind him, perhaps a fresh start down in Houston will help rejuvenate Diggs’ career.
youre getting the celtics version of shaq. pic.twitter.com/DyIopT1JlU
— tim smitheman (@tsmitheman) April 3, 2024
What do you think of the trade?
How much does Diggs have left in the tank?
As far as the Texans, do you think Stroud is the real deal? Or is he destined for a sophomore slump?
In the landscape of the league, where do you rank the Stroud-Diggs pairing???