After an offseason full of Stefon Diggs drama, Washington feels it signed its missing piece

ASHBURN, Va. — When Dan Quinn was making the rounds late Thursday night, texting other coaches about his new star receiver, he received an unprompted message from an old player.

Former Dallas Cowboys corner Trevon Diggs had intel on Washington’s latest acquisition. He had the inside scoop, he claimed. And he wanted to put in a good word.

“It’s pretty rare that you get to coach two brothers,” Quinn said, laughing. “I got a cool text from the younger brother, Trevon, about the amazing impact his older brother had on him and the leader he is. Pushing him into things. You don’t get to do that very often.”

For any due diligence Quinn was running on Stefon Diggs, a text from the younger Diggs eased his mind.

After an offseason of drama surrounding Diggs, the Commanders finally locked down their man. The four-time Pro Bowler doesn’t come without headlines. Just ask the Vikings, or the Bills, or the Texans, or the Patriots. But he also comes with production. And Quinn is just happy to finally settle into the work of building an offense around his new playmaker — as drama-free as possible.

“He’s a tremendous player. We know that,” Quinn said. “But what I’ve heard more and more is what a good leader he is to the younger players on the teams. He brings a lot of energy, not just on the field but to the sidelines. I’m excited to build that relationship with Stef.”

Washington spent the better part of the offseason linked to Diggs. Even when he went unsigned to start training camp, Diggs “had an idea” he was going to land in D.C., he said.

And for good reason. Both sides needed each other.

Washington was in desperate need of a No. 2 wide receiver to give quarterback Jayden Daniels more weapons. Outside of Terry McLaurin, the rest of the receiving room was a combination of journeymen on one-year deals and rookies yet to break into the league. Even as general manager Adam Peters insisted he believed in the group, it wasn’t exactly the formula you’d expect for a franchise hoping to bounce back from a 5-12 season in 2025.

“My family’s here; my support system is here. I love everything about home.”

Stefon Diggs

Diggs wanted Washington just as badly. At 32, he is on the back end of his career and looking for a landing spot where he no longer has to carry an offense. He is from Maryland, went to college here and played youth football on the Alexandria Titans. If these are his sunset years, he might as well write the end of his football story where it began.

“It definitely means a lot to me. Pulling your heartstrings a little bit,” Diggs said. “Having success and going to your hometown team, you wanna shine for them.”

On paper, it was the perfect marriage. But, in reality, a deal came much slower.

At first it was Diggs working through issues. He stood trial for felony strangulation in May after an incident at his home involving a former live-in personal chef. He was acquitted in Massachusetts. Then Diggs sued Christopher Blake Griffith for defamation after Griffith accused Diggs of sexual assault.

The Commanders looked into the legal issues and determined they were fine moving forward.

“For Stef, or any of the guys, we’ve got a really good process that we go through when we bring players in,” Quinn said. “So we were certainly comfortable with that process.”

Then there was the actual deal. Would the Commanders give him one year or two? Would the money be manageable?

In the end, they landed on a one-year, $12 million contract, according to ESPN. Maybe it was more team-friendly than Diggs would have liked, but it was enough to end the courting process, which dragged on for months.

“My family’s here; my support system is here. I love everything about home,” Diggs said. “And the organization, they take care of their players. Some good people over here. They got a great young quarterback. He’s a star. He’s a superstar. I’m excited for him, excited for this team.”

But now Washington is hoping it gets the player Trevon Diggs vouched for.

The older Diggs has a reputation for building up young signal-callers. He was around Josh Allen in Buffalo when he rose into an MVP-caliber player. He helped take Drake Maye, the young Patriots quarterback, to the Super Bowl last year. Daniels is going into Year 3 and went to the NFC championship game as a rookie, but he is coming off an injury-riddled 2025.

He’d certainly take the mentorship of a player who has been there before.

“With young quarterbacks, they got a lot on their plate,” Diggs said. “So making plays for them, giving them confidence. That puts a battery in their back to feel like, ‘Man, I could do anything out here.’ That’s how I try to help them.”

He can also help Daniels fill a void on the field: as a reliable pass catcher who can win in short yardage. McLaurin is Washington’s top receiver, but his average depth of target is over 14 yards. Who is going to win on third-and-short?

For the most part, that’s Diggs’ speciality. His average depth of target last year was 8 yards, and he carried a 78% contested catch rate in those tight windows.

“I think just his suddenness stands out,” Quinn said. “When you’re the slot, that’s hard to guard, and especially when you have to deny the ball. Some of those third downs, you don’t want to give him space. Those could be explosive plays.”

Over the next few days, Quinn and the rest of the offense will work to incorporate those talents. But, even on his first day, Diggs couldn’t help add a little of his trademark flair. When asked if he thinks he is the best No. 2 receiver in the league, he dialed up a headline-earning line.

“I would’ve said No. 1,” he said, smiling. “I mean, that’s just my personal feelings. I’ll say No. 2 receiver on camera. But in my heart I’m gonna say one.”

He also hinted at a potential Super Bowl run.

“I want to make the city proud, and the best way you can do that is go far. I don’t know where. I’m not gonna say where,” he said. “I don’t want to jinx it or anything, but I want to go far. I want to be a puzzle piece to this team in a positive way.”

But he quickly followed by saying he isn’t here to make headlines. He’s here to learn the offense. And that will take time.

On his first target from Daniels on Friday, Diggs dropped a ball on a quick slant.

It’s a work in progress. But the offseason saga is over.

Washington feels it has found its missing piece.