Stefon Diggs Sounds Like a Guy Who Misses Minnesota

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Stefon Diggs - Houston Texans at Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Vikings are 3-0, after defeating Stefon Diggs and the Houston Texans in the former 5th round pick’s return to U.S. Bank Stadium, where his NFL career began. The game wasn’t close, a 34-7 dismantling. Diggs had arguably his best game so far, as a Texan, catching 10 balls on 12 targets for 94 yards.

In week one, he caught two touchdowns, but only managed 33 yards on 6 receptions. Both performances were impressive, for different reasons. No doubt, QB CJ Stroud needed Diggsy against Brian Flores’ defense, which was dead set on shutting down their No. 1 guy, Nico Collins. A mission they completed pretty successfully, by the way (4 REC, 10 TGT, 84 YDS).

After the contest, Stef stood in front of Houston reporters. He wasn’t upset. Diggsy acknowledged how well his former team played. Then… in a somewhat surprise moment, he got a bit emotional. And apparently, it wasn’t the first he was up in his feelings on Sunday.

Return to Minnesota made had Stefon Diggs in his feelings

The 30-year-old NFL vet told reporters — in a low, honest tone from inside the visitor locker room at U.S. Bank Stadium — that he surprised himself with how emotional he got after walking out of the tunnel and onto the *new* turf inside his old home.

“I was a little emotional before the game. I didn’t really feel it during the week, but getting in the stadium obviously changed my emotions a little bit. There’s a lot of love here. I’m forever thankful. Shared some precious memories here. So it all hit me pregame a little bit… in a good place.”

Stefon Diggs on his emotions playing back in Minnesota for the first time as a visitor

If I didn’t know any better, I’d say Stefon Diggs misses Minnesota, and the team that he was drafted by. He’s getting older, he’s now on his third professional stop, and knows next year could be his fourth.

Diggsy missing Minnesota Vikings?

Stefon Diggs, Justin Jefferson - Houston Texans at Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

As he said earlier in the week, the Vikings game him his chance and he is forever grateful. He proved the doubters wrong here, he established himself as one of the best young receivers in the game here.

Now, his career is in a much different spot, and being in town may have made him miss things that he probably wasn’t even thinking about. At least, it sure seemed like it in that interview. But guess what… Diggsy will be a free agent in the offseason.

Related: Stefon Diggs Talks About His Feelings for Minnesota

We’ll see what the cost is, but the Minnesota Vikings could certainly use a vet like Stef to help bring Addison along and compliment Justin Jefferson. If he’s over his self-induced target counts, he’d probably be the perfect fit.

No doubt, Justin Jefferson would be on board. Did you see their interaction after the game, Sunday, while swapping jerseys? It was a pretty electric moment, and I’m not even exaggerating.

Diggsy growing up before our eyes?

The last week has had a pretty major impact on how I view Stefon Diggs. Dare I say, now in his 10th NFL season, and on his third team, the one time Diva extraordinaire seems to be growing past that phase of his career/life. It would make sense. Hitting that 30-year-old marker can change a person, and how they view the world around them.

It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if Stef is quickly realizing he is one of the older dudes in the league now. Not a lot of wide receivers he entered the NFL with are still there. It’s part of the growing up process that we all deal with, but it hits these elite athletes in waves.

Related: Cris Carter, Stephen A Smith Go at it Over Vikings’ Legitimacy

I don’t know Stef personally, but I’d say he’s dealing with that a bit this year, as he settles into a WR2 role in Houston. Returning to Minnesota, where it all began, may have triggered a piece of that he didn’t even know was there. But… we’ll see how the next 14 games go with his current team, before we get too far ahead of ourselves.

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