Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is a vocal fan of his new wide receiver Trent Sherfield with the Stefon Diggs drama dragging on.
Diggs, 29, did not attend the Bills ' voluntary offseason workouts and was similarly absent for practices at the start of this month's mandatory minicamp. The latter caused considerable concern within the team, with head coach Sean McDermott making that stance public.
Reports about the three-time Pro Bowler being frustrated with his voice within the team and his play calling have also surfaced. Such concerns became apparent during Buffalo's early exit from the playoffs in January.
In that 27-10 divisional round defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals, Diggs showed that exasperation on the field while gesticulating furiously throughout the game. A confrontation also took place with Allen during the action. A swift exit from the locker room followed without speaking to the media.
As that situation has spilt over into the offseason, it has offered additional opportunities to Sherfield. Since signing a one-year contract with the Bills in March, the veteran has received reps during OTAs in the absence of Diggs and left an impression on Allen.
"I've loved what I've seen from Trent so far; the dude works extremely hard. He's one of the hardest-working guys on the team. Doesn't complain about anything. He's rolling right now," was the quarterback's verdict to ESPN after one of those voluntary workouts.
It is easy to compare and contrast these comments with how Diggs has applied himself this summer. Notably, Allen has avoided criticising his teammate so far this year.
While Diggs remains the Bills' number one receiver entering the season, Allen talking up Sherfield suggests the depth signing may be a shrewd pick-up this offseason. The player showed promise last season.
On the Miami Dolphins, Sherfield caught 30 passes for 417 yards in year five in the league after going undrafted in 2018. The Arizona Cardinals signed the free agent that spring, where he would spend two seasons before popping up at the San Francisco 49ers in 2021.
The receiver has a career total of 67 caught passes for 844 yards. Sherfield also has four receiving touchdowns entering season six.
How much the journeyman receiver features alongside Allen once the season starts is up for debate, but what is clear are the Bills quarterback's ambitions ahead of this upcoming season. "I so badly want to bring a Super Bowl here to Buffalo," Allen told ESPN last month.
"I just don’t want anything to get in the way of allowing me to be the best quarterback that I can be for this team. I want to give everything that I have for as long as I play."
Relationships between Allen and his receivers will be crucial to overcoming their postseason hump. Be it Diggs or Sherfield, they will be tasked with getting the best out of their quarterback.
