The list of reasons Stefon Diggs should sign with the Washington Commanders was long and filled with logic.
For starters, Maryland is home. Playing with a promising young quarterback in Jayden Daniels was enticing. Familiarity with the coaching staff was another pro.
Washington consummated the partnership after training camp started with a low-risk one-year contract worth up to $12 million. But how much can a 32-year-old wide receiver help a team with a first-time offensive coordinator younger than him and a left tackle who will miss most of the season?
“At this stage in my career, everybody knows what I want,” Diggs said during his introductory news conference with the Washington media. “I wanna win, and I wanna hold a trophy up. So what a better place to do it than back home. And got to work every day to try to get there, but here I am putting one foot in front of the other.”
In December, Diggs was charged with felony assault and strangulation for an alleged incident involving his live-in chef at the time. A jury cleared him of any crime in May, but the Patriots had already moved on and had released him one season into a three-year deal.
Diggs-Maye connection strong but short-lived
Diggs’ impact in New England was significant. He was the most-targeted Patriot on third down for second-year quarterback Drake Maye, who had a MVP-caliber season and finished second for the award behind Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams.
“He's a go-to guy,” offensive coordinator David Blough, 31, said. “He moves the chains. He has his whole career. We'll certainly set it up for him to be a priority in that instance.”
During his one season with the Houston Texans in 2024, Diggs was vital to C.J. Stroud’s development coming off a Rookie of the Year campaign. But that connection lasted only half the season because Diggs tore his ACL, which he rehabbed prior to joining the Patriots.
Diggs also immediately elevated the play of Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen upon his arrival in 2020, when he led the league in both catches (127) and targets (166). It’s no coincidence Diggs made the Pro Bowl in each of the four years he spent in western New York.
“It's awesome, just his feeling for space,” Daniels said. “He's a dog. He goes out and makes plays. He brings energy. He's a leader. So I'm super happy to have Stefon in that room. Not just for the offense, but just for the whole team in general.”
How Commanders will use Diggs
Commanders coach Dan Quinn expects Diggs to see most of his reps from the slot. Deebo Samuel’s lone season with the Commanders came and went in 2025, leaving Terry McLaurin as Daniels’ primary option. Luke McCaffrey, Treylon Burks, Dyami Brown and rookie Antonio Williams round out Washington’s receivers room.
“He's somebody certainly that can move the chains,” Quinn said of Diggs, “and how important that is to have somebody that has the detail of option routes and specifics. But specifically inside, man, is he an effective player in that way.”
Entering his 12th season, Diggs’ experience allows him to separate from defenders even if age and time has cost him a step.
“I've been around the game for a long time,” Diggs said. “I've been productive. I kinda know my way around the field a little bit, so I come with a little bit of experience.”
Quinn said the team was obviously fired up to have Diggs as a player but noted that his locker-room presence is equally valuable. The coach was excited to see Diggs’ work ethic and practice intensity on display.
“It’s not something that doesn’t travel,” Quinn said.
And Diggs has traveled all this way … just to come home.
“I can't write a better story at this point in my career … having success and going to your hometown team, you wanna shine for them and, I wanna put on for my city,” Diggs said. “I'm always gonna want to do that. I did it when I was away, and I wanna do it when I'm home.
“I want to be consistent and be a puzzle piece to this team in a positive way.”
All Diggs has to do is what he’s done best over the past few years – keep moving the chains.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Stefon Diggs has history of elevating QBs. Jayden Daniels could be next