Friction within the Bills' locker room appeared to reach a head last month when star wideout Stefon Diggs missed the first day of mandatory minicamp, prompting coach Sean McDermott to say that he’s “very concerned” about the absence. But quarterback Josh Allen thinks the media’s coverage of the situation has overblown the ordeal.
“The media has blown this so far out of proportion,” Allen said on the Bussin’ With the Boys podcast. “We are in minicamp. We’re not playing a game for four months, he doesn’t show up one day, he’s still there … media just blew it up and they’re still talking about it. Let it go. There’s no reason to continue to talk about it.”
Despite Allen downplaying the whole situation, he acknowledged that there was friction. He said that McDermott asked Diggs to go home the first day of minicamp and that the group was “in talks and discussions of trying to resolve some things.” He added it wasn’t “anything major.”
After the first day of minicamp, Diggs attended practice from then on out, and McDermott downplayed the situation as well, saying he gave him an excused absence because “we all needed a break and some space.” According to The Boston Globe’s Ben Volin, Diggs was frustrated with his role on Buffalo’s offense and wanted more of a voice in play-calling. The wideout hasn’t spoken to media members since the storyline was made public.
Diggs is entering the second season of a four-year, $96 million contract with the Bills. He tallied 108 catches for 1,429 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.
