Stefon Diggs has already checked a lot of boxes in his Washington Commanders arrival, and he may have added one more that hasn’t gotten nearly enough attention.
The veteran wideout wanted this homecoming as soon as he was released by the New England Patriots, and he has gone about his business with the kind of urgency that makes a team take notice. The production and reputation are both there. What former quarterback and ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky sees, though, is a wrinkle that could make Washington’s offense a lot harder to read.
On 106.7 The Fan, during a conversation with JP Finlay and Washington legend Brian Mitchell, Orlovsky praised the fit and pointed to a subtle benefit Diggs can bring to offensive coordinator David Blough.
"I love the addition from a football perspective of Stefon Diggs. Stef still wins, he can kill you on crossers... I think this offense will be way more deceptive."
That kind of value goes beyond simple targets and catches. Diggs gives Washington inside-out flexibility, and even if he isn’t the same vertical threat he once was, he remains a sharp route runner who can do damage in the short-to-intermediate game. Defenses have to account for him on every snap, and that attention can open things up for everyone else even when the ball goes elsewhere.
For Washington, that matters even more with the stakes so high in 2026.
Diggs should still post numbers - he usually does - but this isn’t a move about making him the unquestioned centerpiece. He knows that.
He’s here to complement Terry McLaurin, not compete with him for the title of top dog. And while Washington has other young players who can bring speed downfield, Diggs offers something different: a dependable, polished presence who changes how defenses line up.
The Commanders spent the offseason evaluating their roster and staying in touch with Diggs before Peters ultimately decided the team needed more. Once that call was made, the deal came together quickly.
The early signs inside the building have been strong. McLaurin remains the alpha, and that part isn’t up for debate, but Diggs gives him a legitimate running mate, something he may not have had before, even if Deebo Samuel Sr. handled a difficult role well last season.
Diggs has also made an impression in the locker room. The team already knew about the playmaking, but his teaching and leadership have stood out too. That kind of buy-in goes a long way, and it suggests the adjustment has gone about as smoothly as Washington could have hoped.
He hasn’t been featured much in the preseason, but that appears intentional. The 11-year veteran doesn’t need to prove anything right now. He knows when to turn it on, and the Commanders will be counting on that starting in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles and well beyond.
In Other News...
Commanders Get An Early Wake-Up Call Before Brutal Opening Stretch
The Commanders got a useful jolt in their scrimmage against the Ravens, and not the kind that makes for flattering August highlights. Baltimores defense had the upper hand, leaving Washingtons offense with plenty to sort through as the team keeps building toward the season. For a group trying to establish rhythm early, the workout offered a clear reminder that the margin for error is thin, especially with a demanding opening stretch looming.
Several players came away treating the session like the reality check it was. Jeremy Reaves, Mike Sainristil and D.J. Humphries were among those who pointed to the need for better execution, sharper preparation and more accountability as camp moves forward. The tone around the building sounded less concerned with the scoreboard than with the message, because if the Commanders want to handle what comes next, they will need cleaner football well before the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders May Need Outside Help For A Growing Problem Up Front
Adam Peters is already dealing with a tricky spot up front as the Commanders try to sort out the center position, where injuries and uneven play have left the unit searching for stability. For a team that wants to protect its quarterback and keep the offense on schedule, that kind of uncertainty in the middle of the line can become a problem quickly, and it helps explain why Washington is being linked to outside help.
One name that has surfaced is Houston Texans center Jake Andrews, who could be available after sliding down the depth chart in Houston. Andrews is in the final year of his contract, which makes him a possible short-term fix for Washington if Peters decides the answer is not already on the roster, and it could be the kind of low-risk move that gives the Commanders a little breathing room while they sort out the bigger picture. [Read more 🡒]
Jacory Croskey-Merritt Could Force A Commanders Backfield Decision
Jacory Bill Croskey-Merritt gave the Commanders plenty to think about in his first season, turning in an 805-yard, eight-touchdown debut that made him one of the more interesting pieces in Washingtons offensive picture. For a team always trying to sort out its running back hierarchy, that kind of production matters, and it has put Croskey-Merritt in position to play a bigger role if he can round out his game.
What Dan Quinn wants next is a more complete version of the back who already proved he can help carry the offense. The challenge now is pass protection, the kind of detail that can decide whether a runner is viewed as a situational weapon or a true three-down option, and that distinction could ripple through the Commanders roster plans. Elsewhere on the depth chart, defensive back Malik Spencer was waived with an injury designation and, after going unclaimed, reverted to injured reserve. [Read more 🡒]