Stefon Diggs just shed his old reputation when Commanders needed it most

Stefon Diggs came to the Washington Commanders with concerns. The diva wide receiver tag has been hard to shake, but the four-time Pro Bowler is quickly proving himself as the motivational leader this team desperately needs after a torrid start to the campaign.

It also seems he's shed his old reputation for good.

With the Commanders at 0-2 and quarterback Jayden Daniels suffering another dislocated elbow, morale couldn't be much lower among the fan base. That naturally carries into the locker room, leaving them in a sorry state for Washington's home opener against the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks this weekend.

Stefon Diggs is proving his leadership credentials amis Commanders rough start

But Diggs is staying focused on the primary goal. And he is striving to make sure his teammates do the same.

Diggs was seen visibly trying to lift everyone on the sidelines against the Dallas Cowboys. This became more evident once Daniels got hurt, and even though this is not what he envisaged for his emotional homecoming to Washington, the Maryland product is not throwing in the towel just yet.

They are all hurting for Daniels, of course. But until he returns, the mindset is shifted.

This is all about supporting veteran backup Marcus Mariota as he gears up to fill the void. And based on Diggs' recent comments, he is going to lead from the front once again.

While some may be surprised by the exemplary way Diggs has conducted himself since joining the Commanders, it won't have come as a shock to general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn.

During their assessment of what Diggs can bring not only on the field but off it, the reports were glowing. He received positive references for his leadership during spells with the Houston Texans and New England Patriots. He's matured from his earlier days, and this was the tipping point that gave him a shot in Washington.

And they're seeing it for themselves now.

Stefon Diggs has matured into a leader, and the Commanders are benefiting greatly

Diggs is a winner. He wants to win. That will be more challenging without Daniels under center, but it won't stop the gifted pass-catcher from giving maximum effort until it is no longer required.

And he'll expect the same from everyone who takes the field with him.

Mariota will depend heavily on Diggs. He's still athletic, but he's not as mobile as Daniels. That means he'll need people getting open quickly to provide relief in the short-to-intermediate areas of the field. This is where the 2015 fifth-round selection excels.

When others aren't picking up the slack, Diggs can. He's been one of the most consistent and prolific receivers of the last decade. Those players are hard to find, and if his teammates need picking up, he can do that as well.

Given the contract Diggs signed to join Washington, he's already proving to be high value for money in more ways than one. A young version of the player may not have been so focused or eager to put the team first. But with age comes wisdom, and the Commanders are already benefiting greatly.

Diggs came to the Commanders dreaming of making the postseason. That will be a lot harder now, but it won't stop him from trying.

And this attitude should positively envelop the entire locker room in the face of huge adversity.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow