The Houston Texans’ season took a dramatic turn early in the second half of the Week 8 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Then Texans won the game that day, by a score of 23-20, but their season’s trajectory, particularly on offense, took a huge downturn on this particular pass pattern run by Stefon Diggs:
After a few days of diagnosis and allowing swelling to subside, it was determined that Stefon Diggs had suffered a torn ACL, and his season was over. Diggs, at this point, was on his way to a 100 catch season for about 1,100 yards. More importantly, he was bringing leadership and a chain mover in the passing game.
Most importantly, the Texans went 6-2 with Diggs in the lineup. They would go 4-5 down the stretch, and eventually peter out at the same phase of the playoffs they did the prior season. Diggs was brought in to help get the Texans to a Super Bowl, and while healthy, he was doing his part. Now comes an even bigger decision than the one to trade for Diggs last year — do the Texans bring him back on a new contract?
Right now, Diggs is set to hit free agency, if the Texans don’t extend him. There is a lot that goes into this decision. It’s fairly complex, especially considering the major medical component of said decision, with Diggs rehabbing his ACL tear. So let’s start the questions there:
How does Diggs look?
Diggs has been grinding furiously at getting healthy again, with several videos dropping over the last several weeks of him doing balancing and strength drills. Here is one example:
A torn ACL is far from a death sentence. Dozens of players return from them the following season just fine. Most famously with the Texans, Deshaun Watson tore his ACL in 2017, and came back to be a Pro Bowler in 2018. Now, Watson was still in his early 20s at that time. Diggs is on the wrong side of 30. Overall, though, Diggs looks like he is recovering well.
The Texans need to make a decision pretty soon
The timing element of the Texans’ decision, though, is fascinating. Essentially, because of the way they restructured Diggs contract after trading for him last year, they took $16 million of the $22 million they paid him, and pushed it into future seasons using “voidable years,” a common salary cap tactic, that essentially functions like a credit card. The issue is that, once that player is gone, the full credit card comes due. Diggs contract voids next Monday, if there is no new deal, and the Texans would get hit with $16 million in dead cap money. However, if they extend Diggs, they can put off that cap hit for a couple more seasons.
How much will Diggs cost, and what are the other options out there?
The Texans need help at wide receiver, especially with Tank Dell’s knee injury looking like a two year recovery. Bringing back Diggs is probably the easiest solution, since there is no mystery as to what kind of teammate and worker he is. I would imagine something like two years, $25 million could get it done, but if Diggs wants to go looking for more money, he can. If not Diggs, the other intriguing veterans available in a trade are Niners WR Deebo Samuel and Rans WR Cooper Kupp. Each has familiarity with members of the Texans coaching staff, Samuel with DeMeco Ryans from his time in San Francisco, and Kupp with new OC Nick Caley from his time with the Rams. I do think the Texans draft a receiver during the first two days of the draft, regardless of what happens with these vets.
Stefon Diggs might possibly have some off field drama
Diggs is a maniacal worker and loves everything about football, including practice, but he does wind up in headlines off the field sometimes. For example, recently he was spotted with Cardi B in New Orleans:
On the night of February 6, Cardi and Diggs were spotted together in New Orleans, captured on video smiling, chatting, and appearing closer than just friends. The sighting has reignited speculation, leaving fans questioning whether there’s more to the story than Cardi has let on.
Now, I don’t profess to keep up with everyone’s love life in the hip hop community, but apparently Cardi B might be dating Offset, and this Diggs thing may be a big deal. I don’t know. Read the article I linked above. I just hope and pray that we get Cardi B out at training camp next summer!
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