Stefon Diggs Experiment Lasts Just One Season After Former Texans WR Signs Elsewhere
In a surprising turn of events, Stefon Diggs’ tenure with the Houston Texans has officially come to an end after just one season. The star wide receiver, who joined the Texans in a blockbuster trade from the Buffalo Bills in April 2024, has signed a lucrative three-year, $69 million contract with the New England Patriots as of March 25, 2025. This move marks the conclusion of what many had hoped would be a transformative chapter for both Diggs and the Texans. However, an injury-riddled 2024 season and shifting team dynamics have led to this unexpected departure. Let’s dive into the details of Diggs’ brief stint in Houston, why the experiment lasted only one season, and what this means for his career moving forward.
The High Hopes of the Stefon Diggs Trade
When the Houston Texans acquired Stefon Diggs, expectations soared. The trade, which saw the Texans send a 2025 second-round pick to the Bills in exchange for Diggs, a 2024 sixth-round pick, and a 2025 fifth-round pick, was hailed as a masterstroke by General Manager Nick Caserio. Coming off a stellar four-year run with the Bills, where he amassed 445 receptions, 5,372 yards, and 37 touchdowns, Diggs was seen as the missing piece to elevate quarterback C.J. Stroud and the Texans’ offense to elite status.
The Texans reworked Diggs’ contract into a one-year, $22.52 million deal, setting him up for free agency in 2025. This move was a calculated risk, banking on Diggs delivering a standout season to justify future investment. Paired with emerging talents like Nico Collins and Tank Dell, Diggs was expected to form part of a lethal wide receiver trio, giving Stroud a wealth of options in the passing game. Early signs were promising, with Diggs showing leadership and chemistry with his new teammates during offseason workouts.
A Promising Start Cut Short by Injury
Diggs’ 2024 season with the Texans began with a bang. In his debut against the Indianapolis Colts, he recorded 33 receiving yards and two touchdowns, helping secure a 29-27 victory. By Week 4, he added a rushing touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars, showcasing his versatility. Through eight games, Diggs had racked up 47 receptions for 496 yards and three touchdowns, putting him on pace for another 100-catch, 1,000-yard season—his fifth consecutive year hitting those marks.
However, disaster struck on October 27, 2024, during a Week 8 matchup against the Colts. Diggs suffered a non-contact knee injury late in the third quarter, later diagnosed as a torn ACL. The injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season, abruptly ending what had been a productive campaign. At the time of his injury, Diggs ranked seventh in the NFL with 47 catches and was second on the Texans in receiving yards, trailing only the injured Nico Collins.
The loss of Diggs was a significant blow to Houston’s playoff aspirations. With Collins already sidelined by a hamstring injury, the Texans were forced to rely on younger receivers like Tank Dell, Xavier Hutchinson, and veterans like Robert Woods. While the team managed a 23-20 win over the Colts that day, the absence of Diggs exposed vulnerabilities in their offensive depth.
Why the Experiment Failed to Take Root
The Stefon Diggs experiment in Houston was undermined by more than just his season-ending injury. Several factors contributed to its short-lived nature:
- Injury Setbacks Across the Roster: The Texans’ wide receiver room, once a strength, was decimated by injuries in 2024. Alongside Diggs’ ACL tear, Tank Dell suffered a devastating multi-ligament knee injury in December against the Kansas City Chiefs, ruling him out for the entire 2025 season. Nico Collins also missed five games with a hamstring issue. This left the Texans scrambling to maintain offensive consistency.
- Shift in Team Strategy: Following Diggs’ injury, the Texans traded for Christian Kirk, signaling a pivot toward younger, cost-controlled talent. With Collins as the only healthy member of the original trio and Dell’s recovery uncertain, Houston appeared ready to move on from Diggs rather than re-sign him in free agency.
- Diggs’ Age and Market Value: At 31 years old and coming off a major injury, Diggs faced questions about his long-term durability. While his route-running and hands remained elite, his $22.52 million salary in 2024 was a steep price for a player whose season was cut short. The Texans’ decision to let him test free agency suggested they were unwilling to commit to a multi-year deal at a premium rate.
Despite these challenges, Diggs expressed genuine affection for his time in Houston. “I woke up every day happy,” he told PEOPLE in an exclusive interview, highlighting the camaraderie he felt with Stroud and his teammates. Yet, the combination of injury and roster changes made a return to Houston unlikely.
A New Chapter with the New England Patriots
On March 25, 2025, Stefon Diggs inked a three-year, $69 million deal with the New England Patriots, including $26 million guaranteed. The move reunites him with a competitive AFC East environment, where he’ll serve as the primary target for rookie quarterback Drake Maye. The Patriots, desperate for a No. 1 receiver after years of underwhelming production at the position, view Diggs as a game-changer despite his recent injury.
Reports indicate Diggs is ahead of schedule in his ACL recovery, with optimism he could be ready for Week 1 of the 2025 season. His addition immediately bolsters a Patriots offense that hasn’t seen a 1,000-yard receiver since Julian Edelman in 2019. For Diggs, the contract represents a fresh start and a chance to prove he remains one of the NFL’s elite wideouts.
What’s Next for the Houston Texans?
With Diggs gone, the Texans face a critical offseason. Tank Dell’s uncertain recovery timeline and the impending free agency of other key players leave Houston with gaps to fill. Nico Collins remains a cornerstone, and the acquisition of Christian Kirk provides some stability, but the team may target additional receivers in the 2025 NFL Draft or free agency to support C.J. Stroud.
Head Coach DeMeco Ryans acknowledged Diggs’ impact, stating at the NFL scouting combine, “Stef brought a lot to our team. It hurt us down the stretch not having him.” The Texans’ emphasis on bolstering their wide receiver corps suggests they’re determined to avoid a repeat of 2024’s injury woes.
Stefon Diggs’ Legacy and Future Outlook
Stefon Diggs’ one-year stint with the Texans may not have yielded the long-term success both sides envisioned, but it wasn’t without highlights. His leadership, work ethic, and on-field production—when healthy—left a positive mark on a young Houston squad. As he heads to New England, Diggs carries a legacy of consistent excellence, with over 10,000 career receiving yards and a reputation as one of the game’s premier route-runners.
At 31, Diggs faces the challenge of bouncing back from a major injury, but his track record suggests he’s far from finished. The Patriots are betting on his experience and skill to elevate their offense, while the Texans move forward with a new chapter. For NFL fans, Diggs’ journey remains one to watch as he aims to add to his storied career in 2025 and beyond.
