C.J. Stroud on Stefon Diggs: “One of the Best Teammates I’ve Ever Had”
As the Houston Texans prepare for a high-stakes divisional round showdown with the New England Patriots, quarterback C.J. Stroud took a moment to reflect on someone lining up on the opposite sideline this Sunday-former teammate Stefon Diggs.
Diggs, now a key piece in New England’s offense, spent the first half of the 2024 season in Houston before a torn ACL abruptly ended his stint with the Texans. After recovering, he landed with the Patriots and has since played a major role in their 15-3 campaign, including a strong showing in the wild-card round.
Stroud, who shared the field and locker room with Diggs for eight games, had nothing but praise for the veteran wideout.
“Stef is one of the best teammates I’ve had in my career, my life,” Stroud told reporters Thursday. “He’s been amazing to my life, not just on the field but off as well.
I think he’s super teammate-oriented. Will always be a brother of mine, will always be a friend.”
That kind of endorsement carries weight, especially coming from a young quarterback who’s already shown poise and leadership beyond his years. Stroud’s admiration wasn’t just about Diggs’ production-it was about his presence.
“He’s brought that swag there,” Stroud added. “He’s got the guys rolling around him.
I’m just excited to see his career go where it’s gone. For him to get paid like he did is dope to see.
I think he’s got a lot of great ball ahead of him.”
Diggs’ time in Houston may have been short, but clearly, it left a mark. When the Texans acquired him from Buffalo in 2024, there were plenty of questions about how he’d fit in.
His time with the Bills had been productive, but not without drama-particularly surrounding his relationship with quarterback Josh Allen. That narrative followed him to Houston, but according to Stroud and others inside the building, Diggs did more than just show up-he bought in.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans echoed that sentiment earlier in the week, praising Diggs for being consistently quarterback-friendly throughout his career. That’s high praise from a defensive-minded coach who knows how valuable chemistry is between a signal-caller and his top targets.
Now, Diggs is on the other side, suiting up for a Patriots team that’s rolling into the divisional round with momentum and a dangerous offense. Houston’s defense, which finished the regular season ranked first overall, will need to be at its best to contain him. Diggs may not have the same burst he had before the injury, but his route-running, hands, and football IQ still make him one of the most dangerous weapons on the field.
Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET on Sunday at Gillette Stadium.
And while the Texans will be focused on punching their ticket to the AFC Championship, don’t be surprised if there’s a moment before the game when Stroud and Diggs share a handshake-or maybe even a hug. Because no matter what colors they’re wearing now, there’s clearly a mutual respect that goes beyond the stat sheet.