Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Houston Texans are nearing completion on a trade that would see them receive a draft pick in exchange for wide receiver Stefon Diggs from the Buffalo Bills.
The 30-year-old Diggs, a 2024 sixth-round selection, and a 2025 fifth-round pick will go to the Texans in exchange for the Bills receiving a 2025 second-round pick (via Minnesota).
The Bills will be responsible for a $31 million dead cap hit the following season since they traded for Diggs before June 1. His contract is good until the 2027 NFL season.
It was inevitable that Diggs and the Bills, who acquired him in a 2020 trade with the Vikings in exchange for Justin Jefferson, a 2020 second-round pick, would split ways. Diggs’ output declined after Joe Brady took over as offensive coordinator in November, replacing Ken Dorsey. Throughout the remainder of the regular season, he only managed one touchdown and saw a decline in targets and average receiving yards per game. That came after recording at least 100 receiving yards in five straight games before the coaching change.
Diggs’ response on Tuesday night to an X user’s query about whether he was “essential” to Bills quarterback Josh Allen’s success—”You sure?”—increased the possibility that he was moving on.
Stefon’s brother, cornerback Trevon Diggs of the Dallas Cowboys, had been vocally urging Stefon to leave Buffalo.
Texans general manager Nick Caserio has had a busy offseason with the addition of Diggs. In addition to Diggs, he also added running back Joe Mixon, defensive end Danielle Hunter, defensive lineman Denico Autry, and cornerbacks Jeff Okudah and CJ Henderson.
With a 7-7 record and the AFC South title, the Texans improved upon their previous year, led by rookie head coach Demeco Ryans and NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud.
Along with tight end Dalton Schultz and wide receivers Nico Collins and Tank Dell, Stroud will now have an additional weapon.
The Bills are making personnel changes in the wake of winning four consecutive AFC East division titles and losing three of those four seasons to the Kansas City Chiefs. Diggs is not the only player who has moved on this offseason; wide receiver Gabe Davis, center Mitch Morse, cornerback Tre’Davious White, safety Jordan Poyer, and linebacker Leonard Floyd are also gone.
The Bills’ wide receiver depth chart now features Mack Hollins, Khalil Shakir, and Curtis Samuel at the top, with Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox at tight end. This is due to the loss of Davis and the trade of Diggs.