The Bills Have Drama On Their Hands

Stefon Diggs leaves the facility, Josh Allen On Communication Issues, Bills HC Sean McDermott "Very Concerned"

Jun 14, 2023

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Here’s the lowdown on the drama going down in Buffalo.

Yesterday Bills coach Sean McDermott stated in a press conference that he was “very concerned” that Stefon Diggs did not show up to mandatory minicamp practice.

Shortly after NFL reporter Adam Schefter shared an update from Digg’s agent that read,

“Stefon Diggs’ agent, Adisa Bakari, said his client is in Buffalo, has been in Buffalo since yesterday morning, took his physical, met with the head coach and GM the past two days and the Pro-Bowl WR “will be there for the entirety of the minicamp.”

It looks like Diggs was at the facility and then said, Astalavista! Why did he leave?

Right now there’s no clear answer. All we can do is speculate.

Later Bills QB Josh Allen shared his thoughts on the puzzling situation.

"I know internally we're working on some things. Not football-related, but Stef, he's my guy. Excuse my ... I ******* love him. He's a brother of mine. This does not work, what we're doing here, without him.”
"I mean I think it has more to do than just football, is what I'm basically saying. I think there's the football piece, one, and then stuff that happens due to football. And I'll just kind of keep it at that."
“There are some things that could’ve gone better last year. I think as an organization maybe we’re not communicating the right way.”

It sounds like the typical front office/head coach star player miscommunication saga.

Last April the Bills signed Diggs to a 4 year $96 million extension after two highly productive years in 2020 and 2021 with Josh Allen. 2023 was more of the same. He finished the year with 108 receptions, 1,429 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns.

So what exactly is the problem?

My guess is that Stefon Diggs’ is upset with the Bills not looking his way as frequently in the later part of the season.

Here’s a look at his stats comparing the first 9 games of the 2022 regular season to the final 7 games:

First 9 games: 8 rec/game, 109.4 rec yds/game, .77 tds/game
Final 7 games: 5.1 rec/game, 63.4 yds/game, .57 tds/game

For whatever reason Digg’s production dipped. His frustration was evident on the sidelines in the playoff loss to the Bengals where he only had 4 catches for 34 yards. Now just one year after signing an extension, the Bills have a problem on their hands.

Diggs sounded off on instagram last night,

“I just be letting people cap. If them lies help you sleep better tell em big dawg.”
“My phone been silent for like 6 years. Ion play all them sounds and sh**.”

Good luck getting any more clarity from those comments. He’s clearly frustrated with somebody's lies. Who’s lies? I have no clue. The front office? Fans? The media? Who knows.

A similar thing happened when Diggs was in Minnesota. A year after signing a 5 year $72 million extension with the Vikings he got frustrated with how the offense was being run, skipped practices, and eventually got traded to Buffalo.

Oftentimes, history repeats itself. The question now is whether or not the Bills will resolve whatever issue is going on between Diggs and the Bills.

Diggs couldn’t be in a better situation. He’s playing with one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL in Josh Allen.

My guess is a resolution comes relatively soon. They’ll smooth things over. But people probably thought he’d resolve his issues with the Vikings and return, and we all know how that turned out.

Dalvin Cook Not In A Hurry To Sign With a New Team

Last week the Vikings released Cook and now he’s a free agent. He spoke with Rich Eisen yesterday and made it clear that he’s willing to wait for the right situation. He wants to go to a team that truly values him. Clearly the Vikings didn’t value him more than the money they’d save cutting him. Multiple people have reached out but he’s waiting for the right opportunity for him and his family.

Former Packers safety Adrian Amos Signs With Jets

Another day, another former Packer signing with the New York Jets! Amos spent the past 4 seasons as the Packers starting safety. With Aaron Rodgers out the door the Packers front office made the decision to go young in 2023 which meant letting go of aging veterans. Amos became a free agent this off-season. Jeremy Fowler reported that Amos signed a 1year $4 million contract.

OBJ’s first appearance at Ravens practice

For the first time after tearing his ACL in the super bowl with the Rams in 2022, Odell Beckham Jr is back on the field. There was speculation that he’d join a team late last season, but that never came to fruition. In late April he officially signed with the Baltimore Ravens on a 1 year $18 million deal with $15 million guaranteed. Lamar Jackson has the best receiver core he’s had in his career.

Texans Will Have QB Competition

Yesterday Texans first year head coach DeMeco Ryans made it clear that he’s not decided on who will start for the Texans week 1. He’ll allow CJ Stroud and Davis Mills to battle it out. The Texans drafted CJ Stroud #2 overall in this year’s draft. I’d be shocked if he isn’t starting week 1. Mills has gone 5-19-1 in Houston. Yikes. CJ Stroud is now the face of the Texan’s franchises. Coaches typically wait to hold off on naming rookies the starter right away. If Stroud does not start week 1 something has gone drastically awry.

Aaron Donald's Absence Excused By Rams

Donald was not present for the first day of Rams mandatory minicamp. Rams coach Sean McVay shared that Aaron Donalds is missing camp because of “family reasons” and that the absence is excused.

Random Stat Of The Day

Only 4 NFL QBs have beat all 32 NFL teams: Tom Brady, Brett Favre, Drew Brees, and Peyton Manning.

Random Question Of The Day

“What would you do on a free afternoon in the middle of the week?”

It depends on the kind of mood I’m in. I really enjoy reading. I may read a good book.

One book I’m reading right now is called “On Writing Well” by William Zinsser. It was written back in 1976. I started reading this book over the weekend and I’m really enjoying it.

Back in highschool writing was not something I looked forward to. Looking back it was because I wasn’t particularly interested in the things I was writing about. Now that I’m writing about sports, I’m finding that I really enjoy it. Just like anything, becoming a better writer takes time and practice. My goal is to get a little bit better each and every day.

That’s all for today!

Sideline Scoop