The Washington Commanders finally addressed a long-standing need at wide receiver by signing veteran Stefon Diggs to a one-year deal that can reach $12 million.

The move, confirmed on Wednesday, pairs the four-time Pro Bowler with established star Terry McLaurin and gives quarterback Jayden Daniels a proven target as he enters a pivotal third season.

Yet the Diggs addition came only after the Commanders pursued other options during free agency. Washington preferred two younger alternatives to the 33-year-old Diggs.

Their top choice, Alec Pierce, never reached the open market. As ESPN’s John Keim reported, Pierce “opted to re-sign with Indianapolis before free agency; one league source said Pierce would have signed with the Commanders — had he come free.” The Commanders also “tried, but failed, to sign Romeo Doubs.”

Doubs, a 26-year-old former Green Bay Packer, instead landed a substantial contract with the New England Patriots, the same team Diggs left.

The Wisconsin product brings size, speed, and the ability to work both outside and in the slot. In 2025 he spent the vast majority of his snaps aligned wide and on the line of scrimmage, showing the vertical threat and contested-catch skills that made him an attractive long-term piece.

Still, questions lingered about whether his modest production history and scheme fit would have truly complemented McLaurin, who operates primarily on the perimeter.

Pierce, meanwhile, is a towering 6-foot-3 weapon known more for his prowess as a vertical threat, as evidenced by his lifetime average of 18.7 yards per catch.

Diggs offers a different profile. With the Patriots he split time more evenly between the slot and outside, running nearly as many routes from the interior as he did from the boundary while posting another 1,000-yard season. That versatility aligns more cleanly with the role Washington needed filled.

For a young quarterback still refining his game under center and managing injury concerns, Diggs’ track record of reliable production provides an immediate boost.

The Commanders now move forward with a clear No. 2 receiver who has reached the Super Bowl and consistently produced at a high level. While Doubs carries upside and youth, Diggs arrives ready to contribute right away.

Whether the short-term rental proves the smarter path remains to be seen, but Washington can take comfort in having secured a known quantity after earlier free-agency pursuits fell short.