The Las Vegas Raiders got credit for a lot of things this offseason, but they were perpetually dragged for their failure to make a big splash at wide receiver. They signed Jalen Nailor, who has come along at training camp, and drafted Malik Benson in Round 6, who has impressed as well, but that was it.
Stefon Diggs was a name commonly attached to the Raiders as folks doubted their wide receiver corps, and while the Silver and Black could use him from a football standpoint, he just didn't seem to check the right boxes for John Spytek and Co.
Or so we thought.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported differently.
"He had been talking to the Commanders, that was the place that made the most sense all along," Schefter said. "The Chiefs weighed in. The Dolphins weighed in. The Raiders weighed in. But the fact of the matter is, the Commanders were a team that had a need, had an opening, and they've been able to get together with Stefon Diggs to carve out a one-year deal."
Las Vegas Raiders reportedly "weighed in" on Stefon Diggs before he signed with Commanders
Obviously, Schefter doesn't get into the specifics here of how interested the Raiders were, or if they simply did their due diligence by calling and seeing what was up with the veteran receiver. Spytek doesn't like to rule things out, so he may have just been covering his bases and learning more info.
And there is nothing wrong with that, as Las Vegas is in no position to be turning its nose up at talent, especially in the pass-catching department. The wide receiver corps has received mixed reviews so far in camp, so maybe Spytek checked in after a rough week. Maybe it was back in May. Who knows?
But it shouldn't really take a check-in to know that Diggs is past his prime and wouldn't be playing his best football by the time the Raiders turn things around. He'll turn 33 this season, and it may take a year or two for this team to start moving in the right direction. Diggs won't have juice at 35.
Not to mention the fact that Diggs is constantly embroiled in controversy off the field, and Las Vegas has emphasized bringing in players of high character and those who won't be a distraction. Diggs doesn't seem to fall into that category, which is a prerequisite to be a Raider.
Perhaps most interesting, though, is the fact that Spytek said himself earlier this offseason that he liked the wide receiver room that the Silver and Black had and that he wouldn't "force anything." Clearly, he didn't with Diggs, but it is interesting that he checked in at all on what is such a bad fit.
Diggs probably wasn't all that interested in the Raiders, either. At this stage in his career, the veteran probably wants to play for a contending team, and at least on paper, Las Vegas doesn't look like one. He did play with Kirk Cousins in Minnesota, but how long can we confidently say he'll be the starter?
Signing Diggs never seemed to be in the cards for the Raiders, and ultimately, it wasn't. He is now a Commander and will look to chase a title with Dan Quinn, Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin. But it seems like Las Vegas at least took a temperature check on Diggs at one point this offseason.
Which is interesting, at the very least.
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