Few people have a better insight into the impact of the Buffalo Bills‘ decision to deal wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans than Shawne Merriman.
He and Diggs both played for the University of Maryland and the Bills. But beyond that, there’s a close personal relationship.
“He’s like a little brother to me,” Merriman told PFN Wednesday, not long after the trade went down. So what does Merriman think about his “little brother’s” new team?
Shawne Merriman Reacts to Stefon Diggs Trade
“The Texans won this trade,” Merriman said. “They won, because they got a wide receiver that is gonna consistently put up 1,000-plus yards for you, can put up 1000-plus yards for you. You got a young quarterback in C.J. Stroud to get him the ball, and I believe the Texans have made one of the fastest turnarounds as an organization in the last decade or so.”
He’s right. A year after owning the No. 2 overall pick, the Texans have the seventh-shortest Super Bowl odds (16-1).
Merriman shared his thoughts about the Diggs trade during a promotional appearance on behalf of his Lights Out Xtreme Fighting league’s big event Saturday in Southern California.
The 18-and-over event will be held at Thunder Studios in Long Beach. Ticket information is available here.
Merriman said he was surprised to hear Wednesday that the Bills agreed to part ways with Diggs (plus Day 3 draft picks in 2024 and 2025) and eat $31.1 million in dead money — and get just a 2025 second-rounder in return.
“I think everybody was shocked at just how quick that went down because it went from no talks at all,” he said. “That wasn’t something that was dangling out there.”
Merriman added that the Bills’ loss is the Texans’ gain, and believes Diggs can still produce at a high level even despite his age (30).
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“From what they looked like before they drafted C.J. Stroud to what they’ve done in the last two offseasons, I don’t think we’ve seen anything like that in a very long time,” Merriman added.
“So kudos to them, you know, being smart enough to bringing him in. Demeco Ryans, kudos to them for drafting a young C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson, you know, outstanding pass rusher, who I think is gonna be a star in the NFL one day.
“And then you add Stefon Diggs to the mix, this makes those guys a contender right now.”