C.J. Stroud Would 'Love' for Stefon Diggs to Sign New Texans Contract in NFL FA

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud lobbied for the team to retain wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who is heading to free agency this offseason.

Stroud told reporters Monday he'd "love" to have Diggs back in Houston, adding that he and the four-time Pro Bowler "were just getting started" and "starting to build a rapport" on the field.

Running back Joe Mixon echoed the sentiment and said the veteran wideout may have "unfinished business" on the team.

The Texans acquired Diggs to much fanfare. He had had four straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons and was joining a receiving corps that already included Nico Collins and Tank Dell.

Things didn't pan out as expected.

The 31-year-old suffered a torn ACL in October that ended his season after eight games, and his production to that point reinforced some of the concerns about his skills declining with age. His 10.6 yards per catch were the second-lowest of his career, and his average depth of target (8.7 yards) nearly matched his lowest output dating back to 2018, per Pro Football Reference.

Diggs looked like a once-elite pass-catcher on the downswing career before getting hurt, and now he'll be coming off a major injury in 2025 that could accelerate the decline.

Stroud's endorsement is likely to carry some weight within Houston's front office, and it's doubtful Diggs will be in a position to command a salary commensurate with the top of the receiver market.

Dell's own major knee injury creates the need for the Texans to be active either through free agency or the draft to get another wideout to pair with Collins.

Still, general manager Nick Caserio may not share Stroud and Mixon's desire for a reunion with Diggs.