Former Detroit Lions safety Quandre Diggs is set to join the Tennessee Titans on a one-year contract worth up to $5 million.
Many Lions fans had hoped for a reunion with Diggs, who was drafted by Detroit nine years ago. Former Lions defensive lineman Damon “Snacks” Harrison even took to social media to advocate for Diggs’s return, posting, “Nino to Detroit is the only news that we need right now … tell him to bring his old secondary buddy with him too.”
Back in 2015, the Lions selected Diggs with pick No. 200 (fifth-round). He proceeded to work his way into becoming a leader in the locker room and a productive member of the secondary.
He earned a three-year extension, but eventually had difficulty getting along with Detroit’s coach Matt Patricia. The former New England Patriots defensive coordinator alienated many members of the roster due to his difficulty relating to players and unwillingness to adapt his coaching methods.
Detroit eventually sent Diggs and a seventh-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for a fifth-round pick.
General manager Brad Holmes is relying on a trio of young safeties—Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, and Ifeatu Melifonwu—to excel in Aaron Glenn’s defense this season. The three players complement each other well and have the potential to make impactful plays, including pass breakups and interceptions.
Kerby Joseph, in particular, has set a goal for the season to lead the NFL in interceptions.