The Minnesota Vikings are off to a stellar start in the 2024 NFL season, sitting at 4-0 and leading the NFC North.
Their success is largely thanks to star wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who joined the team following a 2020 trade involving then-Vikings WR Stefon Diggs, now with the Houston Texans. The trade, a key turning point for both teams, marked the end of Diggs’ often tumultuous tenure in Minnesota.
According to a report by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, managing Diggs was a major challenge for the Vikings, both on game days and during the week.
Fowler’s report provided new insight into Diggs’ time in Minnesota and sheds light on the complexities of having him on the team.
In an attempt to alleviate some of the pressure on quarterback Kirk Cousins, the Vikings adopted a unique solution during games.
One former team source shared that coaches intentionally seated the wide receivers, including Diggs, away from the quarterbacks on the bench, positioning them closer to the defensive backs. This strategy was designed to give Cousins some “peace” during high-pressure moments.
“He needs to have someone he can talk to, listening to his concerns, work through what was bothering him, recognizing him as a voice,” a Vikings source who directly observed Diggs’ tenure there said.
“It can be a lot,” another source said about Diggs’ attitude. “He might throw his helmet. He will wear on your quarterback. But find me a premier receiver that’s not a diva. … And he works incredibly hard. That’s why coaches love him.”
Ultimately, the Vikings decided to part ways with Diggs after the 2019 season, trading him to the Buffalo Bills.
The deal turned out to be highly beneficial for Minnesota, as they acquired a first-round pick that became Justin Jefferson, now a cornerstone of their offense. The Vikings also received additional draft picks, making the trade a clear win for the team.
However, Diggs’ time in Buffalo wasn’t without its challenges either.
Although he posted impressive numbers and quickly became quarterback Josh Allen’s go-to target, managing his personality required constant attention.
“You always have to be mindful of how he feels,” a source from the Bills locker room shared. “It can take a toll on the team.”
Earlier this year, the Bills traded Diggs to the Houston Texans, where he has continued to thrive.
Now 3-1 and leading the AFC South, Houston appears to be benefiting from Diggs’ contributions on the field – although, as sources indicate, the “Stefon Diggs experience” comes with its own set of demands.
While both the Vikings and Bills have since moved on, the ripple effects of Diggs’ time in Minnesota and Buffalo – and the headaches that accompanied it – are still part of the narrative surrounding one of the NFL’s most dynamic wide receivers.
With the Vikings, Bills and Texans all playing great football at the current time, it will be fascinating to see how things end up … Sunday will surely be fun when Allen and Diggs go head-to-head against each other.
Do you think it’s only a matter of time before Diggs falls back to his familiar ways and begins to cause headaches in Houston???