Stefon Diggs Trade Has Houston Texans 'Excited' to Begin Offseason Workouts

Houston Texans' Coach DeMeco Ryans and Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud speak on their excitement for All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs.

Dec 31, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) against the / Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

HOUSTON -- When the Houston Texans traded for wide receiver Stefon Diggs on the morning of April 3, the news had everyone in an uproar — everyone but Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud.

Stroud was sleeping in his Los Angeles home when the news broke. And with his phone on Do Not Disturb, he did not pay much attention to the number of missed text messages. Stroud did not receive the news about Diggs until he checked Instagram following his morning wash-up routine.

The Texans landed Diggs in a trade with the Buffalo Bills and sent a 2025 second-round pick (via the Minnesota Vikings), a 2024 sixth-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick in the exchange.

Dec 31, 2023; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) against the / Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

"I was very excited," Stroud said. "I met him at the Pro Bowl. We had a chance to meet each other and I had a chance to meet his kids. We have been able to grow our relationship from there. It has been really cool to not only go from that to him being a teammate of mine. I am just really excited to work with him."

From the moment Stroud received news about the trade, he understood the impact Diggs would have on Houston's wide receiver unit. Stroud is elated to have another weapon to utilize in the passing attack. But more importantly, he believes Diggs would be able to share his wisdom as a veteran presence to help the Texans meet their lofty expectations in 2024.

Stroud's anticipation for Diggs coincides with coach DeMeco Ryans and the Texans' decision to make the blockbuster trade for the Pro Bowl receiver. Ryans revealed that the team had several discussions before the trade but ultimately believed the Texans would be in a better position by adding another "playmaker to the team."

“He has been a great player in this league for a long time.” #Texans coach DeMeco Ryans speaks on the acquisition of All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs. pic.twitter.com/lbaQJZgSzp

— Coty M. Davis (@CotyDavis_24) April 15, 2024

A source told Texans Daily that Houston had a "strong desire" to improve its receiver group following the end of the 2023 season. The addition of Diggs helped Ryans meet his desire for the position group.

"When we watched the tape of Stefon, we looked at the player in its totality," Ryans said. "We looked at what he has done and how he has been productive. This is a guy who has been an All-Pro player. He has been a Pro Bowl player. He has had over 1,000 yards in multiple seasons. We are excited about adding Diggs to our team."

Diggs began his career as a fifth-round pick (No. 146 overall) in the 2015 NFL Draft and has established himself as one of the league's top wide receivers. In 2023, Diggs recorded his sixth consecutive season of 1,000 yards. In 17 games, the veteran wideout caught 107 balls for 1,183 yards and eight touchdowns.

Although Stroud found himself asleep when the news of Diggs' arrival hit Houston, he wasted no time getting acclimated to his new teammate. In an attempt to establish early chemistry, Diggs was one of several wide receivers Stroud had a chance to train with before the official start of the Texans' Voluntary Offseason Workout program at NRG Stadium.

"With Diggs, adding him, he has been a great player in this league for an extremely long time," Ryans said. "He is well respected. He is a leader and has been a captain. When you look at him and watch the tape, no one doubts the playmaker he is. He changes the game for teams he's been a part of, and we anticipate the same thing for us."