When Stefon Diggs entered the NFL as a fifth-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, wide receivers were not allowed to wear single-digit jersey numbers. Throughout his nine-year professional career with the Minnesota Vikings (2015-2019) and Buffalo Bills (2020-2024), the four-time Pro Bowler sported the No. 14.
Now, following his trade to the Houston Texans, Diggs has opted to return to his collegiate roots by donning the No. 1 jersey, as revealed by a Texans post on Instagram.
However, securing that number came at a significant cost. Texans safety Jimmie Ward, who previously wore the No. 1 in 2023, agreed to relinquish it to Diggs and revert to his former No. 20, which he wore from 2018-2020 with the San Francisco 49ers. In exchange for the jersey number switch, Diggs reportedly compensated Ward approximately $100,000.
As Diggs goes on a contract year with his new team, the comfortable familiarity of his preferred jersey number adds an additional layer of confidence to his game.