Buffalo Bills star wide receiver Stefon Diggs has aired frustration over the team’s playoff struggles several times since they fell to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Divisional Playoffs this past January.
Could it now lead to a further rift between the All-Pro pass catcher and his organization? If the start of Buffalo’s offseason program is any indication, the answer is yes. Bills general manager Brandon Beane told the media this week that Diggs did not report to the start of their voluntary offseason program.
Voluntary is the key word here. Diggs is not holding out. But the fact that he did not report to begin the program as Buffalo looks to contend for a title this coming season is somewhat concerning. One big name Bills veteran with two Super Bowl titles to his name agrees:
“The thing with football teams is you have to be present. And you got to go out there and work and really gain the trust from your teammates. You got to be present. You got to show them, like, I’m here.”
Von Miller on Stefon Diggs’ absence from Buffalo Bills offseason program
This past season saw Buffalo ousted in the divisional round of the playoffs for a second consecutive time. It was an ugly performance in a 27-10 loss to Cincinnati.
Said loss was defined by Diggs nearly storming out of the locker room after the game while displaying a ton of frustration in the process. The three-time Pro Bowler has displayed the same frustration in the months following Buffalo’s premature playoff exit.
“It doesn’t make sense. I’ll rack my brain with this s**t at this point. I think it’s more execution than anything. S**t is small little pieces on why it’s not going right,” Diggs said back in March. “We’ve got the players. We’ve got the plays. Why s**t ain’t coming together?
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Do the Buffalo Bills have a Stefon Diggs problem?
Diggs’ social media activity has come into focus this offseason with the boisterous star sending out multiple cryptic posts. Star quarterback Josh Allen downplayed that when talking to the media this week.
“Stef’s gonna Stef,” Allen told reporters. “I love the guy. He is one of my favorite people on this planet. He is so fiery, so competitive, he wants the ball in his hands 24/7 and I’m never gonna not like a guy like that. He wants what’s best for the team.”
Even then, there has to be some concern that things are evolving when it comes to Diggs’ frustration level. Immediately after Buffalo’s loss to Cincinnati back in January, Diggs pushed back against criticism for his actions in a series of posts on social media.
One read, “Want me to be okay with losing? Nah.” Another read, “Want me to be okay with our level of play when it’s not up to standard? Nah.”
- Stefon Diggs stats (2022): 108 receptions, 1,429 yards, 11 TD, 70.1% catch rate
As you can see, Diggs is among the most productive receivers in the NFL. He has a great connection with Allen as evidenced by the signal caller posting a 120.8 QB rating when targeting Diggs a season ago.
Unfortunately, the lack of playoff success have seemingly created somewhat of a divide. Diggs’ decision to skip the opening of the Buffalo Bills’ offseason program less than five months before they begin yet another season with Super Bowl expectations adds another layer to that.