As part of the blockbuster trade to acquire wide receiver Stefon Diggs, the Houston Texans voided the final three years of his contract, giving him the ability to become a free agent after this season, league sources told ESPN. told Adam Schefter.
The Texans also gave Diggs $3.5 million in guaranteed money for next season going into this season, giving him a raise and guaranteeing him $22.52 million in guaranteed money in 2024.
The Texans acquired Diggs on Wednesday, sending a 2025 second-round pick (via the Minnesota Vikings) to Buffalo. Houston also acquired two draft picks, a 2024 sixth-round pick (189th overall) and a 2025 fifth-round pick. The Texans acquired a 2025 second-round pick from the Vikings last month when they traded a 2024 first-round pick to Minnesota.
With the contract adjustment, the Texans hope to get the best version of Stefon Diggs and will be in a position to negotiate a long-term deal again next offseason.
Diggs, a three-time Bills captain, signed a four-year, $104 million contract extension with the team in April 2022. According to the roster management system, the Bills will pay $31.096 million in dead money charges next season if they trade Diggs. This is the highest amount of known dead money for a wide receiver in any season, according to research by ESPN Stats & Information.
Diggs' production declined after the first six games of the 2023 season. He didn't have another 100-yard receiving game the rest of the season and only caught three more touchdowns. In the Bills' final seven games last season, including the playoffs, Diggs averaged 41.0 receiving yards per game and zero touchdowns. This is the only time in Diggs' career that he has gone seven consecutive games without a touchdown.
However, Diggs set various team and league records during his time with the team. He is one of only four players in NFL history to record 100 or more receptions in four consecutive seasons (the others being Antonio Brown, Davante Adams and Marvin Harrison). ).
Diggs is one of only two receivers to make the Pro Bowl in the last four seasons, along with Tyreek Hill.
ESPN's Alaina Getzenberg contributed to this report.