The Houston Texans took a significant gamble by acquiring Stefon Diggs through a trade. Initially hailed as a smart move, the decision to void the final years of his contract raised doubts among some observers. Diggs, despite a less impressive season recently and a history of character concerns, was acquired for a second-round pick, prompting questions about the prudence of such a leap of faith.
In an interview on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Texans GM Nick Caserio defended the move, emphasizing that they evaluate Diggs based on his on-field performance rather than past issues elsewhere. Caserio expressed confidence in Diggs’ durability and productivity over the years.
While Diggs remains a prominent player in the league and appears to be a valuable addition to the Texans’ receiving corps, there are uncertainties. Even if he primarily serves as a decoy, his presence should benefit quarterback C.J. Stroud. The move seems aimed at facilitating Stroud’s performance.
"We have a lot of respect for Stefon Diggs and what he's done in his career..
He's been a really good player for a number of years and he's very durable" ~ Nick Caserio #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/hrCiwT5cGK
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 2, 2024
If Diggs finds motivation and experiences a resurgence, he could potentially reward the Texans’ faith by re-signing with them. However, if the experiment fails or Diggs causes disruptions within the organization, the Texans can cut ties with him, albeit at the expense of losing the draft pick for a one-year rental.
Undoubtedly, it’s a risky maneuver, but such risks often characterize the path to championship contention.