For the first time since 2019, the Buffalo Bills are preparing for a season without star wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
Following four successful seasons together, culminating in another disappointing postseason, Diggs was traded to the Houston Texans.
The split seemed inevitable after Diggs skipped the first day of mandatory minicamp last season, prompting head coach Sean McDermott to express serious concern, a statement he later retracted.
On the field, the synergy between Diggs and Allen appeared to wane throughout the 2023 season.
Diggs’ production dropped from 49 receptions for 620 yards and five touchdowns in the first six games to just 58 catches for 563 yards and three touchdowns over the final 11 games.
When asked if he missed Diggs during training camp, Allen reflected on his former teammate’s impact.
“Stef’s a great player, and what he brought to this team was special,” Allen said. “He was reliable and brought energy every day. I’m sure he’s doing the same in Houston. You can’t say you don’t miss that, but I’m very happy with what we got going on here and how hard the guys have been working.”
Since being drafted seventh overall in 2018, Josh Allen has far surpassed early expectations.
Initially doubted for his football IQ, accuracy, and decision-making, Allen has silenced critics by becoming one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks.
Despite early struggles, with completion percentages below 60% and QBRs under 50, Allen has since led Buffalo to at least 11 wins in each of the last four seasons.
His completion percentage has remained above 63%, and he’s consistently thrown for over 4,000 yards and at least 29 touchdowns each season.
However, postseason success has eluded Allen and the Bills, with the team falling short of the Super Bowl despite their loaded talent.
The Kansas City Chiefs have been a particular thorn in Buffalo’s side, eliminating the Bills from the playoffs in three of the last four seasons.
As Allen enters his seventh season, the Bills are hopeful that this year will be different.
Is this the season the Bills FINALLY get over the hump and win the Super Bowl?
Just how much – if at all – will Allen miss Diggs???