What are the Vikings doing with Stefon Diggs?
By John Buhler
Stefon Diggs is under contract through 2023, but who is to say he’ll be with the Minnesota Vikings for its entirety? What are the Vikings’ plans for him?
The Minnesota Vikings have to figure out what to do with wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
Even though he is “Mr. Minneapolis Miracle,” it hasn’t stopped him from voicing his frustrations about the Vikings’ offense as recently as last season. Minnesota has invested heavily in making sure its offense can match the prowess of Mike Zimmer’s defense. Diggs has already been given a five-year, $72 million contract that went into effect last year.
Ahead of the 2018 season, the Vikings spent big in free agency by signing quarterback Kirk Cousins to a three-year deal worth $84 million, fully guaranteed. While 2018 was a work in progress for him, Cousins really came on last year, making his second career trip to the Pro Bowl and elevating the Vikings to an impressive road playoff win over the New Orleans Saints.
Since Cousins came to Minneapolis, Diggs has surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving threshold both seasons. Diggs had never achieved this before at the NFL level. Keep in mind he has another excellent receiver playing opposite of him in Adam Thielen. Tight end Kyle Rudolph can make plays in the red zone and running back Dalvin Cook is nothing short of a bell-cow beast.
So Diggs has been well-compensated, has a ton of great players around him in Minnesota and is a huge part of a team with serious Super Bowl aspirations. Yet Minnesota, deep in a cap crunch, has to make a decision on its expensive receiver.
They could cut him, crazy as it sounds. He’d be a dead-cap hit of $9 million, $6 million and $3 million over the next three years. This seems like a lot, but $18 million spread over three years doesn’t look too bad. With Diggs being a high-end receiver, he would have major trade value if Vikings general manager Rick Spielman can find the right partner.
Given the length of Diggs’ contract, Minnesota should be able to net a future first-round pick and potentially a day-two selection as well. The former Maryland star is a productive player and one who could take a team’s lackluster receiving corps over the top. Fortunately for the Vikings, they don’t have to trade him, and they maintain all the leverage in this situation.
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Ultimately, the Vikings need to hope this tension lessens. Minnesota has what it takes to win a Super Bowl in 2020. Cousins is playing better, Cook is in his prime and Zimmer will have his defense humming. Only injuries and internal turmoil can hold this team back from being in the mix to hoist its first Lombardi Trophy. Minnesota needs to sit back and wait.