HOUSTON – Stefon Diggs offered restaurant recommendations in Minneapolis, a city where he spent his formative years in the NFL, including the top spots for chicken wings.
Holding court at his locker, the Texans’ Pro Bowl wide receiver delivered a message of reflection and gratitude toward the team that drafted him out of the University of Maryland a decade ago.
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As the veteran standout prepares for his first game in Minnesota since being traded to the Buffalo Bills in 2020, he made it abundantly clear he has no hard feelings even though his time there came to an end.
The undefeated Vikings host the undefeated Texans on Sunday at US Bank Stadium where Diggs and Texans reserve quarterback Case Keenum, out for the season on injured reserve, collaborated for the legendary Minneapolis Miracle, last-second 61-yard touchdown in a dramatic divisional round playoff victory over the New Orleans Saints.
Yes, Minnesota is where Diggs, 30, first found success in the NFL. Now, the Olney, Maryland native is a potential future Hall of Fame wide receiver in the exclusive 10,000 receiving yard fraternity and a team captain with the Texans after an offseason trade from the Buffalo Bills.
“Being a young guy, they took a real chance for me,” said Diggs, who caught 12 passes for 128 yards and one touchdown for the Bills in a 2022 matchup against the Vikings in Buffalo. “So, I’m forever thankful for that. I had a great time there. ‘Minnesota Nice’ is always the thing I always think of.
“They took a chance on me drafting me. I had to have the time there. The people were amazing. I kind of look forward to going back. We won’t have too much time, but the people that I knew, some familiar faces, I look forward to seeing.
“The team doesn’t look exactly how it used to look. There are some familiar faces over there. (Veteran safety Harrison Smith) still over there. Some of those people that was there when I came in, it’s definitely an exciting time, going back.”
#Texans Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs @stefondiggs excited to go back to Minnesota to play his old team #Vikings @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/ccoDlpU8QE
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 19, 2024
When the Vikings traded Diggs to the Bills, they wound up selecting his successor: Justin Jefferson, the team’s $35 million per year go-to guy. Jefferson has excelled with 400 catches for 6,091 yards and 32 touchdowns.
At the time of his trade to Buffalo, Diggs had caught 365 passes for 4,623 yards and 30 touchdowns. However, the relationship had run its course as former coach Mike Zimmer shifted to a run-first offense built around running back Dalvin Cook. Diggs missed meetings and practices in 2019 and he was ultimately traded to the Bills in exchange for a first-round selection that became the Jefferson pick along with fifth-round, sixth-round and fourth-round selections.
Diggs wasn’t necessarily thrilled about being traded to the Bills at the time, but he made the best of it and had four Pro Bowl seasons and four consecutive 100-catch, 1,000-yard campaigns.
“I don’t know if they sent me to Buffalo with the most kindest, with the most great intent,” Diggs said. “But all’s well that ends well.”
Now, Diggs and Texans Pro Bowl defensive end Danielle Hunter, acquired this offseason on a two-year, $51 million free agent deal, return to Minnesota.
Everything pretty much is different about the Vikings besides Smith’s veteran presence in the secondary and the Wilf family ownership of the NFC North franchise.
Kirk Cousins is playing for the Atlanta Falcons, and Sam Darnold is off to a fast start with the Vikings. Zimmer is the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator. Adam Thielen, Diggs’ friend and fellow wide receiver, plays for the lowly Carolina Panthers.
And Diggs has 10 receptions for 70 yards and two touchdowns in two games for the Texans.
Under defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ aggressive schemes, with former Texans defensive end Jonathan Greenard and linebacker Blake Cashman as key contributors, the Vikings are fast, stout and tough to score on.
“They’ve got a hell of a team,” Diggs said. “Obviously, they got off to a hot start, they’re 2-0. They’ve got a lot of good players over there. They’ve got a defense that’s flying around, definitely looking impressive on tape. I’m excited to go back.”
#Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs on Brian Flores aggressive and unpredictable defense 'Don't chase ghosts' @KPRC2 https://t.co/eyHIruGAwJ pic.twitter.com/ZPgX0gJM1C
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) September 19, 2024
Diggs isn’t the most sentimental person, he readily volunteers. However, there are some feelings for him going back to Minnesota.
“I never really think about it,” Diggs said. “I’m a person that tries to think as little as possible and not attach my personal feelings. to a lot of things. Just get ready to. It’s obviously something you can’t avoid or can’t ignore, going back to Minnesota where I spent the majority of my career. I look forward to going back seeing some familiar faces and trying to get a dub.”
Diggs provided the go-ahead touchdown for the Texans in the season-opener against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in the second quarter. His nine-yard catch pushed the Texans in front, 12-7, on a drive set up by Stroud’s 55-yard jump ball to wide receiver Nico Collins as he leapt over defensive backs JuJu Brents and Nick Cross.
Hours after playing catch with Kimberly Stroud’s mother and catching a short, accurate throw from her, Diggs was counted on in crucial moments by her son, the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year last season. Diggs caught all six passes thrown to him by Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud on six targets, finishing with two touchdown catches in his regular-season debut with the defending AFC South champions as they earned a 29-27 road victory. Diggs, wearing the No. 1 jersey he negotiated away from safety Jimmie Ward for $100,000, and new running back Joe Mixon accounted for all three of the Texans’ touchdowns.
“It’s gratifying from the receiver position,” Diggs said. “From training camp on, working my tail off trying to be a captain and trying to lead the team, I’m alongside guys that do it as well, like Joe and C.J. In those moments when they lean on you it’s because they trust you in those big moments. Fourth down, money on the floor, trust No. 1.”
Late in the game on fourth-and-goal at the Colts’ two-yard line, Stroud rolled out and hit Diggs on a quick out pattern in the corner of the end zone.
The timing was clicking, even though this was just their first regular-season game playing together.
Diggs and Stroud already have outstanding chemistry, and the former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year is even more potent in game situations than practices.
The Diggs acquisition is already paying dividends.
Diggs was named a team captain in balloting from his teammates.
Diggs has warmly reflected on his happiness to be in Houston, dismissing narratives about him from previous NFL stops and emphasizing a family connection with Stroud, his quarterback and friend.
Days before his first regular-season game with the Texans on the road, it was obvious that Diggs and the Texans are in a strong, comfortable space together. That isn’t a surprise, though, given how welcoming his reception has been since joining the Texans. And, now, they’re off to a fast start together.
Being a captain is something that Diggs set his ambitions on as soon as he was acquired by the defending AFC South champions. And he earned the status by sharing knowledge with his younger teammates.
“Everything,” Diggs said when asked what being named a team captain meant to him. “At this point in my career. Obviously, the past couple of years, I’ve been a captain. Going to a new team, new scenery, new people and earning the respect of my teammates, my coaches, when I say everything it means everything. I play this sport with a chip on my shoulder every day. I’m trying to play with a lot of patience and work ethic.
“So, to see them acknowledge that and they respect and appreciate you. I just want to do everything I can to be the best captain I can be. It was just something I feel like I had to work for. I had to earn something I wanted for myself. I feel like being a captain and that level of accountability not only just holds those around you accountable; it holds yourself accountable. You are who you are. You can’t run from that. I got here from being myself.”
Diggs has put in the time to get to know his teammates. He’s been generous with his time. And he’s earned the respect of his coaches.
“I really like his personality,” offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said. “I’ve said it before, he’s one of us.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com
