Reports: Bills trading WR Stefon Diggs to Texans
The Buffalo Bills are trading four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon
Diggs to the Houston Texans for a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, multiple outlets reported Wednesday.
The Texans also get a 2024 sixth-round pick and 2025 fifth-round pick, per the reports. The Bills’ second-rounder is via the Minnesota Vikings.
The trade ends Diggs’ sometimes rocky tenure in Buffalo, where he has earned Pro Bowl honors all four seasons. It also comes hours after a social media back-and-forth with Robert Griffin III, who asserted that Diggs was not essential to the success of Bills quarterback Josh Allen.
Buffalo entered the offseason $47 million over the salary cap and has lost multiple starters from the division championship roster.
Diggs turns 31 in November
but has produced at a high level since the Bills acquired him from the Minnesota Vikings in 2020.
Houston’s financial commitment could be just one season because of the structure of guaranteed cash payouts. The Texans can part with Diggs after the 2024 season if desired without a cap hit because his $18 million salary for 2025, $19.1 million for 2026 and $14.5 million in 2027 isn’t guaranteed.
Diggs and the Bills were at odds multiple times since he signed a four-year, $96 million contract with $70 million guaranteed in April 2022. Almost exactly two years later, Buffalo hit reset at the wide receiver position.
K.C VOTERS REJECT SALES TAX EXTENSION
The Chiefs and Royals are questioning their futures in Kansas City after voters rejected the extension of a sales tax that the teams said would have assured they remain in the area.
Voters in Jackson County, Mo., voted no Tuesday on the ballot measure that would have kept a threeeights-cent sales tax for stadium financing in place for the next 40 years. The measure failed 58.1 percent to 41.9 percent.
The two teams have played at the Truman Sports Complex for more than 50 years -- the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium since 1972 and the Royals at Kauffman Stadium since 1973. The Royals want to build a new downtown stadium, and the Chiefs want to make extensive renovations at Arrowhead.
“We respect the democratic process, we respect the voters of Jackson County and the results of the election,” John Sherman, the Royals’ owner, said Tuesday night. “We’re deeply disappointed, as we are steadfast in our belief that Jackson County is far better off with the Chiefs and the Royals. This is a belief I both hold professionally and personally, as someone whose roots run deep in this town.
“We will take some time to reflect on and process the outcome and find a path forward that works for the Royals and our fans.”
Approval of the sales tax extension would have helped fund both a new Royals stadium and the Arrowhead improvements.
A variety of community groups in Kansas City had come out against the proposal, saying the burden was too high on taxpayers and ownership needed to do more.
“Two billion dollars in taxpayers money, man, could do a hell of a lot to develop our community,” said Michael Savwoir ,a leader of KC Tenants, speaking to local Fox4 on Tuesday night. “The billionaires don’t finance my follies. Why should I finance theirs?”
ELSEWHERE
Colts: Safety Julian Blackmon is returning to the Indianapolis Colts on a one-year deal, ESPN and NFL Network reported Tuesday.
Blackmon’s new contract is worth up to $7.7 million, with $3.2 million guaranteed, per NFL Network’s report.
Blackmon was a free agent after his rookie contract expired. In four years with the Colts, he has compiled 214 tackles, seven interceptions, 17 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one sack.
In 2023, Blackmon set career highs in tackles (88), picks (four), pass breakups (eight) and starts (15). Per ESPN, Blackmon visited the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers but could not find a multi-year offer on the open market.
The Colts have re-signed or extended a number of players on defense in particular this offseason, with Blackmon joining linebacker Zaire Franklin, cornerback Kenny Moore II and defensive linemen Tyquan Lewis and Grover Stewart.