The eyes of the NFL world were abruptly drawn to the Bills’ mandatory minicamp Tuesday, as the absence of wide receiver Stefon Diggs elicited concern from coach Sean McDermott five months after Buffalo’s season-ending loss to the Bengals in the AFC divisional round.
Hours after McDermott spoke to reporters, Bills quarterback Josh Allen addressed the media as well, where he was peppered with questions about Diggs’s status.
“I know, internally, we are working on some things, not football-related,” Allen said. “(Stefon) is my guy. I f---ing love him. He’s a brother of mine. This does not work, what we’re doing here, without him.”
Allen and Diggs have formed one of the league’s most formidable quarterback/wide receiver duos for three seasons since Buffalo acquired Diggs in March 2020. During that span, Allen has thrown 108 touchdowns and Diggs has caught 29.
Josh Allen on his bond with Stefon Diggs: “I f---ing love him”
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 13, 2023
(via @alexbrasky) pic.twitter.com/GfII6oKN8s
Diggs signed an extension with the Bills in April 2022, but expressed frustration during and after Buffalo was eliminated from the playoffs before the Super Bowl for the fourth time in four years.
Allen seemed to imply that changes needed to come ahead of 2023 in terms of the organization’s communication with its eighth-leading receiver of all-time.
“There are some things that could’ve gone better last year. I think as an organization maybe we’re not communicating the right way,” Allen said.
“There are some things that could’ve gone better last year. I think as an organization maybe we’re not communicating the right way.” - Allen on Diggs, who says there is not a personality conflict between the two.
— Sal Capaccio 🏈 (@SalSports) June 13, 2023
Buffalo will open its season against the Jets on Sept. 11. Whether Diggs does the same remains to be seen.
