There’s good news about the [Washington Commanders signing Stefon Diggs](https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/washington-commanders/commanders-news-imminent-stefon-diggs-signing-wont-make-brandon-aiyuk-happy). And he seems to be [happy in his new digs](https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/washington-commanders/commanders-news-dmv-fans-will-love-stefon-diggs-first-message-washington-signing). Diggs fills a need for the Commanders, but there's a massive catch.
The Commanders agreed to a one-year $12 million deal with Diggs. The 11-year veteran had 85 catches for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns last season with the Patriots.
He immediately upgrades the wide receiver room, which needed a true WR2. Diggs can be that. So let’s explore the good news.
**Commanders WR Stefon Diggs gives team a chance**
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In the NFL, no signing improves a team unless it is followed by good health. So the following envisions a scenario where Diggs is available for somewhere in the neighborhood of 15-17 games. He has reached that level every year since 2017, with the notable exception of playing only eight games in 2024 when he suffered a torn ACL.
Adding Diggs to the receiver room makes the Commanders a playoff contender. They aren’t on the same level as the Eagles and Cowboys in the NFC East. But if they stay relatively healthy and those teams don’t, it’s not a stretch to say they could be in the division title mix when December rolls around.
Defenses will have to play more honestly toward Terry McLaurin with Diggs on the other side. The big-play places where this can come most into the picture are third-and-medium situations. The Commanders might be able to hit a shot down the field if defenses are playing too tight to the sticks and watching Diggs.
Also, this signing allows Antonio Williams to develop at a rookie pace. Before the signing, Williams had the pressure of quickly filling the WR2 role. Now he can slot in at WR3.
Another great thing is the red zone. If Williams is the touchdown magnet he showed to be in college, defenses will have their hands full with three serious TD threats in McLaurin (13 in 2024), Diggs (four recent seasons with 8 or more), and Williams.
Plus, it puts Luke McCaffrey in the second-team mix. That’s where he belongs. And if he has improved as much as the Commanders have boasted this summer, then there’s a nice depth piece.
Also, the Commanders don’t have to worry about Treylon Burks health every week. He probably drops all the way to WR5 unless Williams can’t handle the starting load.
**New addition makes things better for QB Jayden Daniels**
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Furthermore, this gives quarterback Jayden Daniels a fighting chance. He now has two legitimate NFL starting receivers. Plus, he has a hybrid receiving threat in tight end Chig Okonkwo.
Suddenly, the picture looks nice for Daniels. With these threats, he should have a lot more plays where he can release the ball in rhythm to open receivers. That will keep him upright and hopefully keep him on the field.
Yet another positive outcome for signing Diggs is that offensive coordinator David Blough doesn’t have to create smoke with mirrors. He has a decent skill-level group with which he can create schemes.
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Also, the signing gives the Commanders' somewhat unexciting backfield a chance to thrive. Look for Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Rachaad White to have better yards per carry averages because defenses will have to be wary of the Commanders' passing attack.
If Nick Allegretti works out at center and the Commanders' offensive line stays healthy, this offense could be top 10 in 2026. Or close to it.
But … with every silver lining, there’s a dark cloud.
**Signing WR Stefon Diggs is a roster stopgap, not a permanent fix**
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Let’s face it, Diggs is past his prime. He will turn 33 years old in November. He has already defied the 30-year-old wide receiver cliff. But this is likely his last season as a 1,000-yard threat. And truth be told, it’s very unlikely he will get to 1,000 this year because the targets simply won’t be there.
McLaurin and Okonkwo will be the target monsters. White will get a lot of looks out of the backfield. If Williams develops, he eats into the target share. Diggs had 102 targets last year with the Patriots. Triple digits may not be on his plate this season.
This is a one-year deal and nothing more. There’s no reason to think Diggs will be a major part of the Commanders’ 2027 plans. Need proof? Look how long they took to sign him. It’s getting close to the middle of August. If this had been a no-brainer, Diggs would have been brought in the minute Brandon Aiyuk started going haywire.
Another problem is the Commanders have two aging wide receivers at the top of the pecking order. Who’s to say that McLaurin, who turns 31 in September, and Diggs will both hold up for a 17-game schedule? There’s a reason receivers tend to decline after age 30. McLaurin and Diggs likely won’t be immune to the firm history.
Also, are these two guys good enough to cause problems for the Cowboys and Eagles? That’s the bottom line. If the Commanders go 7-10 because they lose all four of those games, head coach Dan Quinn and his two new coordinators will likely be looking for new employment after this season.
Sure, the wins and losses aren’t all about the receiver position. But with Daniels entering Year 3, the Commanders need something more like 2024 from him. And he needs his receivers to help.