The Buffalo Bills have begun their mandatory minicamp this week, but not everyone may be attending. There is one potential huge absence in wide receiver Stefon Diggs. But, it depends on who you ask, as there have been some mixed messages about his attendance.
According to Bills head coach Sean McDermott, Diggs was not at minicamp and was very concerned about his absence. This is on the heels of Diggs also skipping a voluntary minicamp previously in the offseason.
“When players miss, in particular player of Stef’s caliber, you’d love to have those players here,” McDermott said. “So, overall been pleased with the attendance and the guys’ effort.”
However, according to Diggs’ agent Adisa Bakari, the star wide receiver is in Buffalo and has been there since early this week. A physical has been done and Diggs met with McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane per Bakari and his client will be present for the entire minicamp.
It is certainly a bizarre situation as Diggs signed a four-year, $96 million extension with the Bills last offseason. Unless ownership is willing to eat an exorbitant amount of money in dead cap, there is virtually zero chance that the All-Pro will be traded.
When asked about the Diggs situation, star quarterback Josh Allen did give some insight, saying things are being worked on. He did make a bold statement as well, per Albert Breer.
“I know internally we’re working on some things. Not football-related, but Stef, he’s my guy. Excuse my … I fucking love him. He’s a brother of mine. This does not work, what we’re doing here, without him.”
The lasting image many people have of Diggs and Allen is the star receiver being animated on the sidelines during the team’s postseason loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Whatever issues are persisting between Diggs and the team likely aren’t monetarily, but possibly personnel-wise.
If the Bills were to not have Diggs for whatever reason, this offense would be in dire straits. On the depth chart behind him are Gabriel Davis, Trent Sherfield, Deonte Hardy and Khalil Shakir. The team also used their first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on tight end Dalton Kincaid to add another weapon to the passing game.
