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What Does The Stefon Diggs Trade Mean For The Browns?
The Bills pulled off a blockbuster trade to begin the month of April sending star wideout Stefon Diggs to the Texans, shifting the power structure of the AFC.
The road to a Super Bowl just got a little bit harder for the Browns.
That's because the team that slammed the door on their Super Bowl dream just two and a half months ago is loading up for its own championship pursuits.
Jan 13, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) hugs Cleveland Browns
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In a stunning blockbuster deal on Wednesday, the Houston Texans acquired Buffalo Bills star wide receiver Stefon Diggs, giving up a future second-round pick in return. The move comes with good an bad news for the Browns, but it most notably changes the hierarchy of the AFC.
In some ways Cleveland was already chasing the Texans β they did end the Browns season with a 45-14 drubbing the wild card round after all. Armed with rookie QB C.J. Stroud, who earned the Offensive Rookie of the Year following a spectacular rookie campaign, Texans general manager Nick Caserio is looking to maximize this window where Stroud is still on his rookie deal.
That's paved the way for Houston to be one of the most active teams in the NFL this offseason. Diggs is just the headliner of a list of acquisitions that includes front-line edge rusher Danielle Hunter, veteran running back Joe Mixon, a duo of young cornerbacks in Jeff Okudah and CJ Henderson, just to name a few.
History shows that spending big in free agency doesn't necessarily equate to winning a Lombardi. Who can blame the Texans for trying though. When the offseason began they had more than $50 million in cap space at their disposal and Caserio has made a point in investing it. Suddenly a fringe playoff team from 2023 looks like a juggernaut going into 2024.
On a positive note for the Browns, they'll avoid playing Houston in the regular season next year after doing so in each of the last two since acquiring Deshaun Watson from the reigning AFC south champs in 2022. Still, just like this past year, the Texans will be lurking, standing in the way of the Browns ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl.
I know what you're thinking: "the Browns had so many injuries for that wild card meeting with Houston back in January. Things will be different if they're at full strength." Maybe, but Stroud is only going to get better and this revamped Texans roster looks like its surpassed even the fully healthy Browns.
On the bright side, Diggs departure from Buffalo represents a full-on embracing of a transitional year for the Bills. So long as they have Josh Allen under center they'll be a threat, but they're status as a title contender is on hold for now. That's one less team the Browns have to worry about, although others could emerge from that division if the Dolphins or Jets can take that leap and dethrone Buffalo.
Oh yeah, the Chiefs still exist too.
As the clock ticks on Cleveland's own championship window, the AFC is once again setting up to be an absolute gauntlet. May the odds be ever in their favor.
