For four seasons, new Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs served as a security blanket for Josh Allen while as the Buffalo Bills’ top target.
En route to four playoff appearances and four Pro Bowl honors, Diggs averaged 111 catches for 1,343 yards and 9.25 touchdowns over 17 games per year.
That type of production is what enticed Houston to trade away valuable draft capital to acquire Diggs this offseason. It’s also an incredible amount of production Buffalo must replace if it hopes to remain an AFC contender.
While the Bills added in receivers like Curtis Samuel and Florida State’s Keon Coleman, Allen must find a way to survive a season without Mr. Consistency in Orchard Park. But when asked by reporters Wednesday if he missed Diggs any point during this summer, the Pro Bowl quarterback politely declined.
“I think Stef’s a great player, and what he brought to this team was special,” Allen said. “So, ‘miss’ is, I don’t know if I’d say ‘miss’ — he was a guy that was reliable, you could look to.”
I am surprised Josh Allen was so honest answering this question about if he misses Stefon Diggs. @BuffaloFAMbase @wufosports #BillsMafia #Bills #NFL pic.twitter.com/Qiz3olsjTX
— Mafia Sports Report (@TommyTalksBills) August 7, 2024
Before fans start freaking out about Allen downplaying his relationship with Diggs, he also praised him and wished him well as the new top target for C.J. Stroud.
“He’s going to have the juice each and every day — I’m sure he’s bringing it over there in Houston,” Allen said. “So definitely, you can’t say that you don’t miss that.”
While one of the top duos in the NFL over the past four years, Allen and Diggs had dicey moments together during their final season with the AFC East champions. After a Week 1 overtime loss to the New York Jets following a season-ending injury to Aaron Rodgers, Allen reportedly yelled at Diggs for his postgame comments.
During the divisional round of the 2022 playoffs, Diggs was seen talking back to Allen on the sideline after a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Diggs was also unhappy with his role down the stretch in 2023 after starting off posting career numbers with Allen under former coordinator Ken Dorsey.
Sometimes, divorces need to happen. The issues between Allen and Diggs reached an unhealthy level inside Buffalo’s locker room.
Stefon Diggs exchanging some words with Josh Allen on the sideline pic.twitter.com/J2heSTBMrc
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 22, 2023
Diggs, who has been Stroud’s No. 1 receiver throughout the early stages of training camp, looks to help the young gun flourish the same way he helped Allen become one of the league’s top passers.
He’s moved on with life and closed the chapter of his Bills era, but he’ll always remain a fan of Allen.
“Josh was and still is my guy,” Diggs said earlier this offseason. “People don’t really understand what it’s like to be out there. He really embraced me. He kind of had that Southern hospitality. We spent a lot of time together, and I probably wouldn’t be right here if it wasn’t for him. I got a lot of love for that boy.”
Stefon Diggs on his time with Josh Allen & what he's meant to his career #BillsMafia
courtesy: @abc13houston pic.twitter.com/bJ9pOn3qFd
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) June 4, 2024
Allen and the Bills travel to NRG Stadium to face Diggs and the Texans on Oct. 6.
