The Washington Commanders were always wide receiver Stefon Diggs' preferred destination. That much was painfully obvious, but that didn't mean he was going to put all his faith in general manager Adam Peters before deciding on his next opportunity.
And a new report makes the Commanders' decision to acquire Diggs even more worthwhile.
According to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post, the former Maryland standout has also been speaking to the New York Giants about the possibility of joining Washington's fierce NFC East rival. These messages didn't go anywhere, but with others also circling, Peters opted to make Diggs' homecoming dream a reality.
Commanders had all the reasons in the world to sign Stefon Diggs right now
And now, Diggs will have the opportunity to make the Giants pay twice next season for being too cheap.
"Heard there were some messages exchanged between #Giants and Stefon Diggs (Joe Schoen was in Buffalo with Diggs) but nothing ever really progressed to "contract talks." Not the right fit for either side financially."
The Giants were making an inquiry, but that was about it. They seem content with what they have, and they clearly thought Diggs was not worth the money his representatives were seeking on the open market.
Malik Nabers (if healthy), Darius Slayton, and Darnell Mooney will likely lead their charge. There is serious training camp buzz building around Malachi Fields, while it remains to be seen just how much the likes of Odell Beckham Jr. and JuJu Smith-Schuster have left in the tank.
Diggs would be an upgrade on anything the Giants have besides Nabers. Even so, the G-Men thought it was too big a commitment after getting the lay of the land.
Even if the Giants had come with an acceptable offer, Diggs would have probably chosen the Commanders. He's got a close connection to the region, and he instantly becomes the WR2 opposite Terry McLaurin. Jaxson Dart may have flashed as a rookie, but Jayden Daniels clears him talent-wise.
Homecoming allure to Commanders was glaringly obvious for Stefon Diggs
The homecoming allure was just an added bonus.
There is an enormous amount of intrigue around what Diggs could bring to Washington's offense. He's an exceptional route runner with ultra-dependability. His relentless mindset is hard not to love, and even though his frustrations can spill out when things aren't going well, the Commanders look like a good culture fit to cope.
Peters eventually acquired Diggs for a one-year deal that could be worth up to $12 million. Solid money for a complementary piece, but if the four-time Pro Bowler has the impact expected, his contribution will be priceless.
As for the Giants? They are also expected to be more competitive this season, the first under new head coach John Harbaugh.
They have a nice blend of talented young players and experienced pros. Dominant nose tackle Dexter Lawrence II is no longer around, but the pieces are slowly coming together. Whether that'll make much difference in a highly competitive division remains to be seen.
The Commanders and Diggs were reportedly in constant communication this offseason. If the wideout had received a firm offer from anyone, Peters would have known about it. Fortunately for Washington, that didn't materialize, and when the time was right, they struck with conviction to get him on board.
And if this signing goes as everyone anticipates, there will be more than a few teams around the league kicking themselves for not taking the plunge.
The Giants included.
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