HOUSTON – Stefon Diggs’ departure from Buffalo was not without a certain amount of drama and intrigue, as there were several anonymous and negative perspectives on his personality and what ultimately transpired behind the scenes that led to his highly publicized divorce from the Bills and his offseason trade to the Texans.

As the veteran Pro Bowl wide receiver prepares to face the Bills at NRG Stadium on Sunday, in his first game against his old team since being traded from the defending AFC South champions in exchange for a draft this offseason second-round pick, he did nothing to add gasoline to the fire and emphasized that he has no reservations about his former NFL employer.

The 30-year-old Diggs has excelled in the Texans’ locker room and on the field, imparting knowledge and helpful tips to younger players while demonstrating textbook routes and hands. He was elected team captain by his teammates.

The league’s biggest takeaway from Diggs’ departure from Buffalo? That time was up in that relationship and it was time for a fresh start for the AFC East franchise and for Diggs, a four-time Pro Bowl player who caught a season-high 10 passes for 94 yards in his first game against the Minnesota Vikings, the team that drafted him out of Maryland a decade ago and traded him to the Bills. Now he’s wearing the Texans’ No. 1 jersey and a smile on his face as he catches passes from Pro Bowl quarterback CJ Stroud.

“I’m having a lot of fun,” Diggs said at his locker Thursday. “When you go to a new team, obviously it’s the third or second time I’ve gone to a new team. You never know what to expect and what kind of people you will have around you. Obviously I have some relationship with CJ before the (trade). It’s easy to get a bad reputation.

“You know, words travel fast, but when you get to a place and people get to know you, they can kind of evaluate you personally and interact with you. I think when I turn a corner somewhere else, it’s usually a smile and lots of positive things. So I just take it with a grain of salt. I have big shoulders. I can take it.”

Diggs caught 25 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns while sharing touches with Nico Collins, the NFL’s all-time leader in receiving yards and the established go-to guy for Stroud.

And Diggs quickly became friends with Stroud and developed a good relationship. From the Pro Bowl to offseason throwing sessions in Miami, Los Angeles and Houston, they have developed a strong bond.

“It was great,” Stroud said. “I think he has a bad reputation, you know, just from the media and people,” Stroud said. “He was just amazing for this team and his teammates. He helped me a lot.

“As you can see, we are clicking more and more every game. I am very happy for him and glad that he is finally enjoying playing the game and doing what he loves because he loves football very much. I’m just very, very happy to be a part of his journey in life and just to be around him.”

Diggs fit well into the Texans’ leadership structure and style of play. So far it has been an authentic relationship.

“I think he’s just himself every day, he brings the same energy every day,” right tackle Tytus Howard said. “Whether it’s on or off the field, you know what you’re going to get from him every day. He is a good teammate. He is a good friend outside of football. Just being a consistent guy in the building every day. He’s a good energy guy every day. He’s a great teammate.”

At first, Diggs wasn’t sure how he would feel about the Vikings. Like the Bills, he emphasized that he harbored no hard feelings.

Instead, the Texans’ Pro Bowl wide receiver delivered a message of reflection and gratitude to the team that drafted him in the fifth round out of the University of Maryland.

Will Sunday be emotional for Diggs?

“No, not at all,” Diggs said. “Probably just because I haven’t been to Minnesota in a long time. I haven’t been to this stadium in a long time and I’m just trying to get away from it. I’m trying to get away from it. They are a good team. They have a lot of people who are smart. They are a really good team. To me it goes without saying that you want to earn the respect of your teammates and your coaches in every situation. It’s important to me. Everything is important to me. I’m proud that I’m trying to make things better. I think it’s important.”

Diggs is on pace with 106 catches, 990 yards and nine touchdowns. He ran for his first career touchdown last Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars in a 24-20 comeback win.

“What I like about Stef, what he brought to the team, is that he just brings this relentless energy and passion for the game,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “He loves football and I’ve said that several times. You can see it in the way he trains, the way he plays the game. He loves the ball, he plays with effort and that’s all you want. Guys who will play the game the right way, encourage their teammates, and be a great teammate themselves. That’s what Stef does.”

How does an athlete break down the first game against his former team? Ryans has done this before. He recognized the emotions of the moment and the need to focus. about the task at hand.

“A player always has in the back of his mind that it’s a big deal when he plays against his former team,” Ryans said. “It’s a little extra weight if you really want to beat your team. It doesn’t change our preparation and the way we go about our business week after week. It comes down to the guys going out there and we have to play together, we have to play as a team, we have to play clean football against Buffalo so we have a chance to win this game.

“You have to make sure you stay focused and focused. When you make it bigger than it is, it often happens that you are no longer able to play fundamentally solid and be where you should be. At the end of the day, it’s still a game. You really want to beat her, but you can’t do more than what’s asked of you. You just have to let the game come to you and make the plays you’re supposed to make.”

Diggs reflected warmly on his good fortune to be in Houston, dismissing narratives about him from previous NFL stops and emphasizing a family connection to Stroud, his quarterback and friend.

Days before his first regular-season road game with the Texans, it was obvious that Diggs and the Texans are in a strong, comfortable environment together. However, that’s no surprise considering how warmly he’s been received since joining the Texans. And now they’re off to a fast start together.

Diggs aspired to become captain once he was acquired by the reigning AFC South champions. And he earned that status by sharing his knowledge with his younger teammates.

“Everything,” Diggs said when asked what it meant to him to be named team captain. “At this point in my career. Obviously I’ve been captain for the last few years. Moving to a new team, a new environment, new people and earning the respect of my teammates and my coaches – when I say it all, it means everything. I play this sport every day with a chip on my shoulder. I try to play with a lot of patience and work ethic.

“So to see them acknowledge that and respect and value you. I just want to do everything I can to be the best captain I can be. It was just something I had to work for. I had to earn something I wanted. I feel like I’m a captain, and that level of responsibility not only holds those around you accountable; it makes you responsible. You are who you are. You can’t run away from it. I came here because I was myself.”

Diggs took the time to get to know his teammates. He was generous with his time. And he has earned the respect of his coaches.

“I really like his personality,” offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said. “I’ve said it before, he’s one of us.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com

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