The Bills made a seismic roster move this past offseason when they traded star wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Texans.
Diggs had a tumultuous four seasons in Buffalo filled with highs and lows. He quickly became star quarterback Josh Allen's favorite target upon his arrival, leading the NFL in receptions (127) and receiving yards (1,535) during his first season in 2020.
He registered back-to-back seasons with double-digit touchdowns after that and notched at least 100 receptions and 1,100 yards in all four years with the Bills.
However, after regressing in 2023, including falling out with Allen and head coach Sean McDermott, Buffalo's front office decided it was best to part ways with Diggs. Here's how it all went down.
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Stefon Diggs trade details
Texans receive:
- WR Stefon Diggs
- 2024 sixth-round pick (No. 187, re-routed to Lions in draft trade)
- 2025 fifth-round pick
Bills receive:
The Bills traded Diggs, a 2024 sixth-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick to the Texans for a 2025 second-round pick.
Houston traded Buffalo's 2024 sixth-round pick to the Lions, returning a later 2024 sixth-round pick (No. 205) and a 2024 seventh-round pick (No. 249).
The Texans selected Louisville RB Jawhar Jordan and Michigan OL LaDarius Henderson with those picks, respectively.
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Why did Bills trade Stefon Diggs?
Diggs' relationship with the Bills began to waiver before the start of the 2023 season.
He was given an excused absence from mandatory minicamp that offseason with head coach McDermott stating , "We got to a point yesterday where we just felt like we all needed a break and some space."
Diggs' production tapered off in a big way at the end of the 2023 season, leading to frustration with his involvement in the offense and his eventual departure from Buffalo.
The All-Pro receiver averaged 10 targets and 80.8 yards with eight total touchdowns over the first 12 games. In the final five games, those averages dropped to 7.8 targets and 42.8 yards without a single touchdown. He was also held to just 10 receptions and 73 yards with zero touchdowns over two playoff games, too.
Diggs and star quarterback Allen reportedly had a bit of a falling out during that rough stretch, but the former one-two punch has had positive exchanges since the trade.
"He was an intricate piece of my career," Diggs said of Allen . "Josh was and still is my guy. ... I've got a lot of love for that boy, so y'all give him a hug and kiss for me."
Allen echoed a similar sentiment about Diggs.
"I'll always have a spot in my heart for him, and I'll always love him like a brother and wish him nothing but the best," Allen said in a press conference after the trade .
Diggs responded perfectly when asked how he's adjusting to life after Buffalo just days before his Texans debut.
"I don't talk bad about my old girlfriend to make my new girlfriend feel good. I'm just happy to be where I am."
Why did the Texans trade for Stefon Diggs?
This side of the deal is much more self-explanatory.
After years of building for the future, Houston looked like a legitimate Super Bowl contender led by rising star quarterback C.J. Stroud. The 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year's debut season was enough proof for the Texans front office to go all-in this past offseason.
When a playmaker like Diggs became available, Houston pounced.
The 31-year-old is still one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, giving Stroud another outside weapon along with Nico Collins and Tank Dell. The Texans also bolstered their offense by signing Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon.
Diggs made an immediate impact in his first game with Stroud, hauling in two touchdowns on six receptions for 33 yards in a win.
The Texans restructured Diggs' contract after the trade, working out a one-year deal with $22.52 million guaranteed. That allows both sides to feel things out and reassess his future in Houston after the season.
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