The Houston Texans were coming off having a resurgent 2023 season where they made the playoffs when everyone counted them out. DeMeco Ryans quickly turned the team around and did so with a strong rookie performance from CJ Stroud.
The 2024 offseason season the Texans went out and added players to build on the culture with leadership, with guys like Joe Mixon, Danielle Hunter, and Denico Autry. But they made one mistake in adding Stefon Diggs, who instead is ruining it.
Recently, ahead of the game against the Green Bay Packers, Diggs during pregame warmups caused a commotion due to comments between him and Jaire Alexander.
Diggs later would go on to say “I’m never the bigger person, I’m not letting sh-t go”. In the game, Diggs only had 23 yards over five receptions, and the Packers seemed to play with a different edge as the hits on Stroud came a bit more aggressive. Ultimately, the Texans would lose 24-22, and Diggs was nowhere to be found in helping the team.
For a 10-year veteran who is supposed to be a leader, his pregame actions and postgame comments don’t reflect that. That is an issue for the culture Ryans is trying to build in Houston.
There is a reason Diggs is on his third team. While some could have to do with teams looking to advance their offense, based on the tea leaves from comments on the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills as well, it also could have to do with his impact as a culture fit in the locker room.
Diggs is a vocal player, but that can also have a negative impact. It was shown multiple times in Buffalo when he wasn’t getting the ball and would follow it up with outbursts on the sideline.
Diggs is an issue, and one that will hold the Texans back from advancing their young team as the season goes on.
