Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has claimed that there's no drama between him and Stefon Diggs, and wishes to move on from the speculation.
Last season Diggs was seen shouting at Allen during their playoff defeat against the Cincinnati Bengals, with the wide receiver not targeted on a number of offensive plays. Diggs then missed the first day of the team’s mandatory minicamp practice this offseason, with head coach Sean McDermott expressing his concern.
But Allen has tried to play the 'drama' down, and has now spoken about his love for Diggs in a recent interview. It's clear that Diggs and Allen share a close relationship, but their competitiveness created tension at the end of last season.
"I love him. That’s my guy," Allen said of Diggs on Bussin With the Boys. "The media has blown this so far out of proportion . We are in a minicamp. We’re not playing a game for four months.
"He doesn’t show up for one day, he’s still there, coach asked him to go home, they’re in talks, they’re trying to resolve some things. They’re still talking about it. Let it go. There’s no reason to continue talking about it."
Allen's statement was clear, but McDermott was concerned when speaking after the first day of the Bills' practice. However, he later tried to go back on what he said, after sharing conversations with the receiver.
"We had a good conversation, great communication," McDermott told reporters as he tried to stop the news of the drama spreading. "We got to a point yesterday where we just felt like we all needed a break and some space.
"So, I gave Stef permission to get some space and head out and picked up those conversations after practice. So let me make it clear: It was not Stef leaving unexcused -- he was excused by me. And so those conversations have got us to, what I think and believe, is a great spot.
"Sometimes you gotta have conversations and need to communicate. I appreciate Stef being willing to communicate. I thought he did a great job and you guys need to understand Stef is a valuable member of this football team.
"He's one of our captains and a leader on this football team. He works extremely, extremely hard -- as hard as any player that I've been around -- to be elite in this league, and that's what he is. And I love him.
"So, I want to make sure that you guys understand what the situation really was and is. Because there's some things that have been said that I don't think were fair, so I wanted to provide clarity to that situation."
The Bills have been in the conversation as a Super Bowl contender for a number of seasons, but the only way they'll stand any chance is if Allen and Diggs are on the same page. The Bills fell off after a strong regular season, but will be back to try and clinch the AFC.
