Stefon Diggs didn't feature much in the Washington Commanders' preseason slate. The veteran wide receiver wasn't targeted, but it's clear that head coach Dan Quinn has seen enough to know what this franchise has.
And there is one overlooked area that even caught Quinn a little off guard.
Diggs is an accomplished performer. He is a slick route runner who knows how to come up big in the most critical moments. The Commanders waited a while before signing him this summer, but this is something the Maryland product wanted from the moment he was released by the New England Patriots.
Stefon Diggs' inner fire has already won over the Commanders
The transition was seamless, as expected.
Reports about Diggs' on-field efforts and locker room behavior have been glowing from coaches and teammates alike. There are still concerns, especially if the Commanders don't meet expectations, but the trajectory is pointing upward with Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles on the immediate horizon.
Quinn has been around the game a long time. There isn't much that surprises the experienced leader these days, but when discussing Diggs, the inner fire that still burns within the four-time Pro Bowler took him aback.
"I knew he was a competitor. I didn't know how good the fire was."
Diggs has always been the ultra-competitor. He holds himself to extremely high standards and demands the same of his teammates.
At a time when the Commanders need accountability more than ever, that matters.
The 2015 fifth-round selection has not come to Washington for a late-career payday and nothing more. Diggs believes in the project, in quarterback Jayden Daniels, and in his ability to still make a lasting contribution.
The stars have aligned for Stefon Diggs to succeed in Commanders homecoming
Given how much he's achieved throughout an exceptional career so far, that carries a ton of weight.
The stars finally aligned for Diggs. His homecoming dream was a long time coming, but everything worked out in the end.
And now, he plans to make the most of it.
The Commanders don't need Diggs to be a superhero. They need him to be a key cog in the wheel, but there is no urgency to make him the focal point.
New offensive coordinator David Blough has already outlined his intent to get second-team All-Pro wideout Terry McLaurin as many targets as possible. Diggs will also get his share, and if he can become a reliable complementary piece for Daniels to depend upon, the Commanders will have a highly productive 1-2 punch on their hands.
And considering the contract Diggs agreed to sign, this could be among the offseason's biggest steals if this scenario becomes reality.
Diggs knows he doesn't have many more good years left. Taking a secondary role could prolong his career, and Quinn has seen firsthand how much desire the pass-catcher has to give despite his career firmly being in its twilight.
This, above all else, should quash any remaining doubts around Diggs. It should also be highly encouraging to hear for fans, who are expecting big things from the flamboyant wideout.
There will be times of struggle; there is no denying that. But one thing is becoming crystal clear.
Diggs will lead from the front. And failure will not be an option.
Add us as a preferred source on Google