Diggs has said Stroud is his QB but also sees him as family.

DJ Bien-Aime covers the Houston Texans for ESPN. Since July 2022 he’s covered both New York Jets and now Houston Texans games on behalf of ESPN; before that he served as New York Giants beat reporter. A former athlete himself who graduated college at Louisville. You can catch DJ on ESPN Radio broadcasts of “Talkin’ Texans. Houston — Stefon Diggs said Thursday he considers quarterback C.J. Stroud family as they prepare to make their season opener together against Indianapolis Colts on September 10th. Diggs is “extremely excited” for regular-season action to begin, according to Diggs. Stroud and Diggs have spent significant time building rapport since Texans traded for him in April; former Buffalo Bills wideout Branden Dawson dates their relationship back to when they met at Pro Bowl in January. “The journey has been wonderful,” Diggs noted, noting his regard for Stroud as family rather than just as his quarterback. They rock together through thick and thin; I always tell him, I am with you when you are right or when you are wrong.” Stroud shares similar feelings on their relationship. Through this offseason, 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year Lamar Miller has helped teach All-Pro receiver Amari Cooper the Texans playbook even when he missed some OTA sessions or training camp practices. They both ran routes together after training camp practice to build timing. Editor’s Picks1 Related “It has improved significantly. It has made my job so much simpler.” “Me and him had already formed an immediate rapport on the field; now it’s just being developed further and further,” Stroud noted this week. “You may have already witnessed it on the field: rep, after rep. Me and him having conversations about things we like or don’t like and being completely transparent with one another about their likes/dislikes – this relationship will grow over time into something special and long lasting. “Stroud and Diggs this week were named two of seven captains for this season on the Houston Texans roster. Diggs is now playing his third team out of 10 after four-year tenures with both Buffalo Bills (2023-2025) and Minnesota Vikings after being drafted in 2015.” Diggs has had success pairing with Pro Bowl-caliber quarterbacks throughout his career and when Kirk Cousins signed for three-year, $84 million contract with Minnesota Vikings in 2018, Diggs finished with 100 catches and over 1,000 yards, becoming his first 100+ catch 1,000+ yard season of his career. Once Diggs joined Josh Allen and the Bills in 2020, he led both league catches (127) and yards (1,535) en route to earning his inaugural All-Pro selection. Since 2020, Diggs ranks first in receptions (445), fourth in touchdowns (37) and fifth in receiving yards (5,372). Stroud-Diggs should excel after Diggs led the league in passing yards per game (274), touchdown-to-interception ratio (23:5) and became only fifth rookie ever to throw over 4108 yards (4,108) last season. “I am really thrilled about Stefon [Diggs] joining our team,” DeMeco Ryans exclaimed of Diggs joining their roster. His influence goes well beyond being receiver specific; DeMeco Ryans was pleased by Diggs’ competitive spirit each day that lights the fire of motivation throughout Texans team members and I look forward to watching his regular season progress further.