Stefon Diggs has wasted little time making himself at home in Washington.
The veteran wideout’s arrival with the Commanders came with plenty of baggage in the public conversation, but the early returns inside the building have been all about fit, feel and football. Head coach Dan Quinn was visibly upbeat when asked about Diggs during a conversation with The Sports Junkies on 106.7 The Fan before Day 12 of training camp, and it wasn’t just because of what Diggs has done catching the ball.
Quinn pointed first to the parts of Diggs’ game that don’t always show up in the highlight reel.
"He's got excellent football IQ, football acumen. That's something that you don't know about somebody until they're in your building or on the practice field with you.
It's been nice for some of the other players to hear his view on certain things. He's off to a really good start.
"Although it's a new system, he's played a lot of football. His understanding of where we're at is certainly gaining. It's nice to have him here now, where we still get a couple more weeks as opposed to Week 1."
That timing matters. Washington got Diggs in early enough to give him a real runway to settle in, and the benefit has already shown up in the way he’s blending into the locker room and into the offense.
There were always going to be questions attached to him. Diggs has carried a diva reputation for years, and off-field concerns gave teams plenty of reason to hesitate.
But that picture has been softened by the way he’s operated more recently. In New England, he was described as a leader and mentor.
In Houston, the reports were strong before a torn ACL cut short what he hoped would be a major run.
The Commanders are betting on that version of Diggs, and so far the signs are encouraging. Terry McLaurin and Jayden Daniels have both been pleased with what they’ve seen, and Quinn is in that camp too. The deal Diggs took to make his Washington dream happen only adds to the appeal if this keeps rolling the way it has through camp.
Diggs, for his part, believes in the setup. He believes in Daniels.
He believes he can make a real impact opposite McLaurin in offensive coordinator David Blough’s system. And he believes younger players in the room can gain from the way he sees the game.
He’s still Diggs, which means the flash and personality aren’t going anywhere. But the story around him is shifting fast.
Washington values buy-in, and Quinn has made that culture a point of emphasis. Anyone who doesn’t embrace it won’t be around long.
For now, Diggs is doing exactly that.
It’s early, but the fit looks strong, the voices around him are positive, and the Commanders are seeing the version of Diggs they hoped for when they brought him in. Once he gets even more comfortable, the expectation is simple: it’s full speed ahead.
In Other News...
Commanders Could Face A Costly Joey Porter Jr. Decision
The cornerback market is starting to feel a little more interesting, and Washington is right in the middle of it. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, multiple teams are keeping an eye on whether the Steelers might be open to moving Joey Porter Jr., a Pro Bowl-caliber defender who is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Pittsburghs cap situation has made the possibility at least worth monitoring, and any conversation would almost certainly begin with the kind of compensation that usually comes with a premium young corner.
For the Commanders, the appeal is obvious. Cornerback remains a need, and injuries have only sharpened the urgency of finding more reliable help on the back end. Porter would fit the profile of a player worth pursuing, but he would also come with a price tag that could force Washington to weigh immediate help against the cost of paying to get it. [Read more 🡒]
Jayden Daniels May Finally Have The Support Washington Needed
The Commanders spent the offseason reshaping the help around Jayden Daniels, and the changes start with the staff. Kliff Kingsbury is out as offensive coordinator, replaced by David Blough, who was promoted from assistant quarterbacks coach, and the move is being framed as a chance to better tailor the offense to Daniels strengths. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported that Blough is expected to help Daniels maximize his abilities, particularly by leaning into the quarterbacks football IQ and his command at the line.
Washington has also tried to fortify the supporting cast, with free-agent receiver Stefon Diggs stepping into a leadership role alongside Terry McLaurin. Even with those additions, the bigger question still hangs over the offense: whether Daniels can stay healthy and whether the unit can hold up after losing starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil. Those are the kinds of variables that can decide whether all this support actually turns into progress. [Read more 🡒]
Commanders Have 3 Roster Races Fans Need To Watch Vs Lions
After a win over the Dolphins, the Commanders are turning their attention to their next preseason test against the Lions, and the roster picture is still taking shape. Dan Quinn said several starters are expected to play, though the exact plan has not been set, which should give this game a little more weight than a typical August tune-up for a team still sorting through the back end of the roster.
The most interesting eyes will be on the cornerback group without Trey Amos, the safety spot next to Nick Cross, and the race for the third wide receiver role behind Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs. Those jobs may not decide the season, but in a camp where every rep counts, this is the kind of game that can separate a candidate from the crowd and start to clarify who is really trending toward a spot. [Read more 🡒]