Seattle Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs is coming off a major injury but is still one of the top pending free agents set to hit the market in March. With most of the league needing help in the secondary, Diggs shouldn’t worry too much about his impending payday, but when looking at his stats, what type of contract could he receive in free agency coming off of injury?
Quandre Diggs: Free Agency Overview
Diggs suffered a dislocated ankle and a broken leg during the final matchup of the season against Arizona. While his injury history took a hit, Diggs played lights out during his contract year and should be paid like a top safety in the league this offseason.
Recapping Diggs’ 2021 season
Before suffering a pair of notable injuries in the season finale against the Cardinals, Diggs was having a career year. In 17 games, Diggs produced 94 tackles, 7 pass breakups, and 5 interceptions.
In 38 games with Seattle, Diggs produced 20 pass breakups and 13 interceptions. The Seahawks acquired Diggs in the middle of the 2019 season from the Detroit Lions. Leaving Detroit turned out to be a huge opportunity for Diggs as he became a top-tier safety while in Seattle. He made back-to-back Pro Bowls in his two full seasons with the Seahawks.
Diggs’ contract estimate and salary cap implications
A 2015 sixth-round pick, Diggs has made $23.6 million since entering the league. Last season, he made $6.2 million with the Seahawks in the final year of a deal he signed with the Lions in 2018.
Spotrac expects Diggs to nearly double his salary from last season, as the site has estimated his annual worth at $12.1 million. That annual average would put him in the top five salaries for strong safeties.
Possible landing spots for Diggs
Diggs should be able to cash in with several different suitors. The Philadelphia Eagles badly need upgrades as safety, as do the Dallas Cowboys and Jacksonville Jaguars. Diggs could also be of interest to the New York Jets as they look to rebuild their secondary, potentially without Marcus Maye.
What they’re saying about Diggs
“This injury is not going to be one that’s going to keep him from playing. We’ve just got to go through it. And it’s unfortunate it’s a really difficult offseason for him for the first three, four months, and all that. But he’ll get back and get going, and we’d love to have him with us.’’ — Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll on Diggs’ injury heading into free agency