GM Rick Spielman Anticipates Stefon Diggs Will Play for Vikings in 2020

Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman said Tuesday at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine he expects wide receiver Stefon Diggs to remain with the team for next season despite trade rumors.

"There is no reason to anticipate that Stefon Diggs is not going to be a Minnesota Viking," Spielman told reporters.

Here's a look at the Vikes GM's complete comments:

The speculation first surfaced ahead of the NFL trade deadline in October, and Diggs sidestepped a question about whether he'd requested a move out of Minnesota.

"There's truth to all rumors," he told reporters at the time. "I won't be speaking on that."

He clarified his remarks the following week: "I never said I was unhappy or uncomfortable with my role. I said I wanted to win, that was what my frustrations were and that's where it kind of got misconstrued last week."

Diggs remained productive on the field despite the off-field uncertainty. He racked up 63 receptions for a career-high 1,130 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games. He's found the end zone 30 times across 70 appearances in five years with the Vikings.

Trading the 26-year-old Maryland native would also come with some financial hurdles for Minnesota.

He's about to enter the second season of a five-year, $72 million contract, which includes a $9 million dead cap hit if he's moved in 2020, per Spotrac. That's a concern for a franchise that's already ranks 31st in projected cap space with under $1 million ahead of the new league year on March 18.

The Vikings would save $5.5 million if they moved him without getting any salary in return, but moving their leading receiver for draft picks would be a tough sell to a fanbase expecting a contender next season.

All told, Minnesota's front office will need to work some magic to secure the necessary roster upgrades with limited financial flexibility, but it doesn't sound like moving Diggs is part of the grand scheme.