Texans' Stefon Diggs Says 2023 NFL Season Was 'Worst Mental Space' He's Been In

Stefon Diggs was a Pro Bowler for fourth time in 2023, but it wasn't a season the Houston Texans wide receiver will remember fondly.

"Last year, I was in the worst mental space I've been in since I've been in the league," Diggs said to GQ's Clay Skipper. "If I'm not in a good space, obviously that's not the best for me. So that's when things had to start shaking out."

The 30-year-old's trade to the Texans was the culmination of months of rumors about his future in Buffalo.

Diggs told Skipper he had a sense of inevitability about his exit.

"We had some talks with Buffalo. We knew where things were going — I did, at least," he said. "The outside world had so much speculation. I knew, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year to the offseason, exactly what was going on. Not too much confusion on my end."

Diggs also addressed how his production in the second half of the season tailed off and alluded to factors beyond his control, such as the firing of offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey.

"You can't roll out of bed and get 800 yards in the first eight games. Your best receiver's doing that," he said. "You tell me about the last 10. What changed? Were there changes going on? I just pay attention to what really happened and not what people try to act like happened. Like, for the last 10 games, I forgot how to f--king play football?"

Through Buffalo's first 10 games with Dorsey as the OC, Diggs had 73 receptions for 868 yards and seven touchdowns, an average of 86.8 yards per appearance. Over the rest of the campaign including the playoffs, he had 44 catches for 388 yards and one touchdown, an average of 55.4 yards per game.

Granted, it's worth noting the 6'0" pass-catcher saw his numbers start to dip before Dorsey's ouster. His last 100-yard performance came in Week 6.

Not only does Diggs have a change of scenery but he also joins an offense that boasts quarterback C.J. Stroud, wideouts Nico Collins and Tank Dell and Joe Mixon out of the backfield.

That depth in the receiving corps could result in Diggs having a slightly lesser role than he has grown accustomed to. But he may also benefit from Collins and Dell occupying the attention of opposing secondaries.

The 2020 All-Pro isn't lacking in personal motivation, either, as he's due to be a free agent next spring.