FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 18: Stefon Diggs 8 of the New England Patriots talks with NFL, American Football Herren, USA Network after an AFC Divisional Round game between the New England Patriots and the Houston Texans on January 18, 2026, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire NFL: JAN 18 AFC Divisional Round Texans at Patriots EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon482260118237

Jul 15, 2026, 2:13 PM CUT

Browns face double competition for $149M rich WR who could solve their offensive problems

The Browns are looking for a receiver, and the solution to that problem, Stefon Diggs, a $149 million in earnings player, is readily available. Cleveland has competition. Baltimore and Washington want Diggs, too, which adds to the difficulty of fixing this issue.

Chad "Ocho" Johnson described that fight in detail in a Nightcap podcast episode for the 11-year NFL veteran.

"Either Baltimore or the Commanders. I'm still standing on that, too. Now, h***, he'd be good in Cleveland... Hey, you know what? That's a good one. Might be even better," Johnson said on the Nightcap podcast on July 15, 2026.

NFL, American Football Herren, USA AFC Wild Card Round-Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots Jan 11, 2026 Foxborough, MA, USA New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs 8 reacts after defeating the Los Angeles Chargers in an AFC Wild Card Round game at Gillette Stadium. Foxborough Gillette Stadium MA USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xEricxCanhax 20260111_bgd_qe2_159

Johnson has confidence in Diggs' production. Although Diggs was injured with a torn ACL before the 2025 season, he still managed to record 1,000 receiving yards. Johnson estimates that Diggs will produce similar output to a Patriots WR2.

"Now, what he said has truth to it now... if they're going to use him, you take their number two, and you put him in that place, you're still going to get the same production based on what he's able to do," Johnson said on the same Nightcap podcast.

The claim has been about a debate started by Diggs, calling himself the best WR2 in the NFL.

However, Shannon Sharpe disagreed and said Diggs being on five different teams is the reason why the league sees him as a journeyman.

At 32, Sharpe thinks Cleveland should be able to sign Diggs cheaper than previous contracts because, in the past, Diggs was making $20 million a year.

Stefon Diggs makes bold WR2 claim in free agency

Diggs has a different approach when it comes to narratives.

The unsigned four-time Pro Bowler sent a message through a YouTube video for the 32 NFL teams, as he is still in training. Diggs clearly stated his argument.

"My opinion, I can compete with anybody. But take those as your ones (WR1), right? You can't name a number two better than me… and then my last question is: Is he better than me?" Diggs said via his YouTube channel.

Diggs says there are seven other players he considers legitimate, number-one targets at the position.

If he thinks he ranks as high as number eight among the other NFL players, I suppose he has reasonable grounds, considering that he had 1,013 yards and four touchdowns at 32, off of a torn ACL.

For some analysts, Tee Higgins also makes a strong case for the best WR2 position, given production of 11 touchdowns and 846 receiving yards last year in 15 games.

After releasing Diggs in March, New England acquired A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs. Now, as camps open soon, it’s expected that Diggs will get signed before the season starts.

Written by

Abhay Bharti

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote