Texans make risky change to WR Stefon Diggs' contract after trade

The Houston Texans made a blockbuster trade this week to acquire star wide receiver Stefon Diggs from the Buffalo Bills, giving quarterback C.J. Stroud another big-time target in the passing game. But it might only be a one-year experience. 

Shortly after acquiring Diggs, the Texans made a significant change to his contract by clearing the final three years of his current deal, allowing him to become a free agent after the 2024 season according to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Along with that the Texans took a $3.5 million guarantee that would have been due next season and pushed it ahead to this season. That will guarantee Diggs more than $22 million for the coming campaign.

Prior to that restructuring, Diggs still had three more seasons on the contract that he had originally signed in Buffalo. 

That restructuring is a pretty significant risk for the Texans and potentially a huge win for Diggs in the long term. 

The risk for Houston simply comes from the fact that if Diggs does in fact decide to leave after this season, the Texans may have traded a 2025 second-round draft pick (originally belonging to the Minnesota Vikings) for just a one-year rental. Considering that draft pick belongs to Minnesota – a team that currently does not have a proven starting quarterback – that pick has the potential to be fairly high in the second round. 

Unless the Texans win the Super Bowl or make a deep run in the playoffs, it would be a substantial price to pay. 

It could be a huge win for Diggs, however. No matter what the Texans do as a team this coming season, if he puts up big numbers it would give him the opportunity to hit the open market as one of the top wide receivers – and players – available at a point in his career in which he should still have some prime years ahead of him. There is a chance he could end up with even more money in the long term while also having the freedom to pick his next team.