In his first trip to U.S. Bank Stadium, Stefon Diggs faces a Vikings team he won't recognize
When the Minnesota Vikings made Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs the 156th pick in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft, they drafted one of the biggest success stories in the fifth round's history. The former five-star recruit out of Maryland came to the Vikings with a chip on his shoulder and turned […]
When the Minnesota Vikings made Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs the 156th pick in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft, they drafted one of the biggest success stories in the fifth round's history. The former five-star recruit out of Maryland came to the Vikings with a chip on his shoulder and turned it into an All-Pro career.
On his third team in his 10th season in the National Football League, Diggs makes his first venture back to the state of Minnesota and will make his debut at U.S. Bank Stadium as a visitor.
Stefon Diggs and Justin Jefferson are forever linked
This isn't the first time that Diggs has played the Vikings. They faced off against each other in 2022 in one of the best games of the year. The Vikings got the win 33-30 after coming from behind down 17 and saw Justin Jefferson make one of the best catches in NFL history.
The two receivers will forever be linked with each other as the compensation the Vikings received for Diggs in the trade with the Bills landed them both Jefferson and safety Camryn Bynum.
"He's a hell of a receiver," Diggs said of Jefferson. "Nothing short of exceptional is what I like to say. He accounts for 50% of their offense. That says a lot about not only is this a player but our offense. He's a guy that you need to get the ball to . He's going to definitely be a task for our defense. They say the good receivers you can't stop em for long, you can only control them for a little bit.
Because of the link between the two players, there have been comparisons between the two. Early on, Diggs was the better player but that distinction is solely in Jefferson's camp but it was the rare trade where both teams came out as major winners.
The departure of Diggs was a tumultuous one. He got so frustrated during his final year in Minnesota that he skipped practice after a week four game against the Chicago Bears due to being frustrated with the offense and his role. It cost him $200k in finds and ended up prompting his infamous rumors quote.
"I feel there’s truth to all rumors no matter how you dress it up,” Diggs said. "I won’t be saying nothing on it. I won’t be speaking on it at all. But there is truth to all rumors, I guess."
That next offseason, the Vikings extended quarterback Kirk Cousins on the first day of the league year and Diggs sent out this cryptic tweet. It wasn't the first time he had sent a cryptic tweet but it was the most impactful.
There ended up being truth to the rumors and Diggs was traded hours later to the Bills.
Stefon Diggs excited for return to U.S. Bank Stadium
For the first time, Diggs opened up about coming back to Minnesota.
"They've got a hell of a team. Obviously, they (are) off to a hot start, 2-0. They got a defense that's flying around, definitely look impressive on tape. I'm excited to go back.
"I had a great time there. Minnesota Nice was always the thing I always think of, especially that was the first thing that took a chance to draft me. But I had a hell of a time there, the people were amazing, I kind of look forward to going back. We won't have too much time but to see some people that I knew, some familiar faces. The team doesn't look exactly how it used to look but some familiar faces over there, Harry's (Harrison Smith) still over there, some of those people."
It's interesting when talking about a return. His teammate in Houston Danielle Hunter is also returning to Minnesota for the first time, but he was just here and left on better terms than Diggs did. Hunter left in free agency where the Vikings did try to retain him, whereas Diggs was frustrated and wanted the trade from above.
It's also not the same team that Diggs is coming back to. It's a completely new regime led by general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O'Connell. The only familiar faces would be ownership, salary cap guru Rob Brzezinski, some staff members and those on the business side of the front office. On the roster, there are only a few players still left.
- S Harrison Smith
- C Garrett Bradbury
- RT Brian O'Neill
- FB C.J. Ham
If Diggs were with the Vikings in 2024, he'd probably would like this current regime. The offense is focused on getting the ball to their top weapon in Jefferson, something that Diggs continued to ask for during his time with the Vikings.
Unfortunately, that didn't happen but everything seemed to work out for everyone. When Diggs enters U.S. Bank Stadium for the first time as a visitor, will he receive a warm welcome that matches his excitement to return? Will there be a level of revenge on his mind for the organization despite the multitude of personnel changes? Those answers will come on Sunday for the man who orchestrated the Minneapolis Miracle, but the Vikings can expect his best like he gave them for five seasons.
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