It’s officially holdout season in the NFL.
Bills star wide receiver Stefon Diggs was not present at the start of the team’s offseason program, the team’s general manager, Brandon Beane, confirmed.
The workouts at this part of the offseason are voluntary and players are not required to show up, but Diggs’ absence is notable due to the way the 2022 season ended.
During the Bills’ 27-10 AFC Divisional Round loss to the Bengals, Diggs was seen in a heated sideline exchange with quarterback Josh Allen, holding his arms out and appearing to yell in his direction.
After the game, Diggs reportedly left the locker room before the coaches got there, taking his belongings from his locker with him.
He also raised eyebrows earlier in the month when he tweeted “Comeeeeee anddddd rescue me…” – though he later responded to a commenter saying that it was lyrics from a song.
Either way, his lack of attendance at voluntary workouts, combined with the post-playoff loss drama, led to speculation that there is a rift with either the team, Allen, or both.
Allen, who was in attendance at the workouts, fielded questions on the subject – and shut them down.
“Absolutely,” Allen said, when asked if his relationship with Diggs was still on solid ground.
“Stef’s gonna Stef. I love the guy. He is one of my favorite people on this planet. He is so fiery, so competitive. He wants the ball in his hands 24/7, and I’m never going to not like a guy like that. He wants what’s best for the team.”
It’s possible that this whole story blows over by the time mandatory minicamps start, but it’s definitely something to monitor.
The Bills can’t really afford to lose Diggs or make him unhappy, as players such as Gabe Davis and Isaiah McKenzie have struggled to break out as a reliable WR2 – let alone first option.
Rose is a name that comes with an epic description for technology geek. She loves decoding things that are new in the technological advancement sector. She has been contributing interesting news from technology section.