The relationship between Stefon Diggs and the Buffalo Bills has been an on-and-off hot topic around Western New York for some time.
The prime-time loss to the Denver Broncos on Monday brought its focus back to the forefront.
Diggs was held to three catches on just five targets for 34 yards that night. The following day, the Bills fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey, who will be replaced by in the interim by assistant Joe Brady.
On Thursday, Diggs was questioned about the changes occurring this week and he expressed positive remarks about both men.
“Joe Brady is an incredible person,” Diggs informed the press. “I have immense respect for Ken Dorsey… We need to turn the page.”
However, a significant portion of his Thursday media session was consumed by Diggs being pulled into a discussion he didn’t initiate.
Following the Bills’ loss on Monday, posts from Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs, Stefon’s younger brother, had social media abuzz. The younger Diggs wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Man 14 Gotta get up outta there.”
Later, Trevon Diggs appeared to call out Bills quarterback Josh Allen.
Remember, he didn’t start acting out until his brother arrived.
— SEVEN (@TrevonDiggs) November 14, 2023
When questioned on Thursday about his brother’s posts, Stefon Diggs stated that he is not accountable for public comments made about him by others, including family members.
Diggs asserted to the journalists, “I can’t control how others perceive things, including everyone here. Whether it’s a reporter, a fellow player, or even my own sibling. I have immense love for my brother, and his perspectives are influenced by our family background. If you’re curious about his feelings, you need to address it with him directly.”
If I’m placed in a situation or if I’m having a discussion with my brother, it falls under our internal family regulations. However, I can’t fight or respond to every question about why. You’ll need to direct those questions to my brother.
Diggs added that he hasn’t talked to his brother — who is out for the season after suffering a torn ACL in practice back in September — about his social media, but Diggs did say on Thursday that just because his brother plays in the NFL and knows how the game works doesn’t mean he’s privy to the inner working of the Buffalo Bills.
“I can’t (answer) the questions as to why he feels (that way),” Diggs said. “I haven’t had the personal conversation with him.
“Obviously, he’s coming from more of a fan perspective (watching from home). But that is my family, so I handle my family with the utmost respect, and I hope that people treat it that way. So when people speak on my family, (I hope they) have a level of integrity as well. … Tread lightly when you’re talking about my family.”
Currently, Diggs tops the NFL with 73 receptions, 868 yards, and seven TD catches, a performance that mirrors his previous two seasons in Buffalo, albeit falling short of his record-breaking 2020 campaign.
The Bills, in 2023, are not significantly away from their typical seasonal yardage and scoring figures compared to recent seasons. However, there has been a marked decrease in their performance during their recent losing streak where they lost four out of the last six games. They started the season strongly, scoring over 37 points and exceeding 400 yards twice in the first four games. Since then, they have not scored more than 25 points in a game and only once have they managed to exceed 400 yards of offense in the past six games.
There were some questions about whether Diggs and the Bills were on the same page as recently as June following his sideline behavior during the Bills’ Divisional Round loss in January to the Bengals. But Diggs reaffirmed his commitment to the team since, and on Thursday he appeared annoyed at the continued questions on his status in Buffalo.
Diggs said, “It feels as though I’ve had to continuously repeat myself to several people. I believe I addressed the issue during training camp, and even before that. I actually took the time to sit down with everyone on the team around that time to express my feelings and thoughts. I thought I had put an end to it then.”
We find ourselves yet again discussing my feelings. I approach my game with confidence, and I carry that same confidence home. I diligently prepare week after week. Being professional has always been my way. I have never voiced any dissatisfaction. So, making assumptions based on things I haven’t said is what bothers me. It disrupts the order, causing unnecessary chaos where none existed.
I’ve reiterated the same sentiments repeatedly. However, when you infer my feelings about my future here, I’ve never expressed anything other than being a devoted Buffalo Bill. I give this game my all. As a professional, I treat it with the utmost seriousness.
What exactly does Diggs think has been the problem with Buffalo’s offense?
“He said, ‘We just need to execute better. There have been instances where the wide receivers and I weren’t on the same page. Additionally, we’ve also had some balls hit the ground.'”
Diggs stated that their performance is not up to their usual standards. However, he expressed a positive outlook on how the situation can improve under Brady’s supervision.
“He said, ‘We can hope for change by tightening the screws and ironing out the wrinkles. But, it’s even more crucial to get out on the practice field, communicate, and work through it.'”
Many people often criticize us as if we’re in a crisis, but I believe we’re doing many good things and we’re not far off. In the NFL, there’s a slim margin for error. If we can address and improve on our weaknesses, not necessarily making drastic changes, we might be able to shift the momentum in our favor.
Diggs added:
We currently stand at a 5-5 record. We’ve had successes, but also made mistakes. As I’ve mentioned before, we’re on the brink of success. The margin for error is small, and we must learn from our mishaps. Our offense needs to capitalize more and score higher. While these may seem like obvious points, the areas we need to correct are minor because we already do a lot right.
Diggs believes that if the Bills are to recover from a 5-5 standing and make it to the postseason for the fifth consecutive season and sixth time in seven years, it will rely less on changes in coaching and more on the players improving their self-discipline.
“Player-driven leadership is what’s steering the ship at the moment,” Diggs stated. “I see it as a glass half full situation. I’m forever an optimist.”
