Exclusive; Ex-Bills WR Stefon Diggs Sparks Concern After Skipping OTAs in Houston

Although Stefon Diggs has departed from the Buffalo Bills, there is a possibility that new drama concerning his offseason intentions may arise.

In a startling trade, Diggs was sent to the Houston Texans which finally put an end to months of speculation over his future in Buffalo. After skipping his team’s offseason activities last year, Diggs created quite a buzz and has now raised fresh apprehensions by choosing not to participate in the first optional practices with his new club.

‘Deja Vu All Over Again’ for Stefon Digg

Skipping optional OTAs last offseason, Diggs caused some significant apprehension among Buffalo fans – as reported by Kyle Silagyi of SI.com. A sour atmosphere had been brewing since the prior season when he was witnessed getting agitated with quarterback Josh Allen on the sidelines during a playoff loss against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Skipping all optional practices, Diggs was dismissed by head coach Sean McDermott on the first day of mandatory minicamp. He later returned and there were no further public issues for the rest of the season. However, his performance dipped during the final stretch as he failed to score a touchdown in seven consecutive games for the team.

According to Silagyi, Diggs was not required to participate in the initial Texans’ practices. Nevertheless, his nonattendance rekindled certain sentiments for Bills enthusiasts.

Silagyi wrote that it’s nostalgic and amusing to find out that he has already skipped an OTA practice, bringing a feeling of deja vu.

Delaying worries about Diggs’ absence from practice is not uncommon. DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN pointed out that it’s typical for experienced players to skip optional practices, mentioning left tackle Laremy Tunsil who also missed OTAs with the Texans.

The Bills are eagerly anticipating their new offensive strategy.

This offseason, the Bills revamped their offense by bidding farewell to No. 2 receiver Gabe Davis in free agency and adding rookie Keon Coleman as the No. 33 overall pick. Quarterback Josh Allen lauded his new teammate, acknowledging that Coleman possesses all of the qualities required for a dynamic passing game – precisely what is needed for success at Buffalo!

“I think his play style (is) what we needed in our offense,” Allen said in an appearance on the NFL Network. “Talking with our offensive coordinator (Joe Brady), our quarterbacks coach (Ronald Curry), (general manager) Brandon Beane and, obviously, coach (Sean) McDermott, a guy that’s a big-bodied guy and can go win one a back-shoulder fade and not afraid to be a physical wide receiver.”

Allen added that the team’s other offseason additions will help round out the wide receiver room, saying the team has assembled a “solid” group despite the departures of Diggs and Davis.

“I think you pair him with some of the guys we have in our room right now, I think Mack Hollins has been such a great addition so far to that room with his mentality, his mindset is infectious to others,” Allen said. “Curtis Samuel, he’s been showing up every single day ready to work. … You start pairing those guys up with Dawson (Knox) and Coleman in this mix now, we’re gonna have a pretty solid group that works together.”