Sometimes a change of scenery can make a big difference, especially for NFL stars.
Two-time All-Pro Stefon Diggs appeared to be a player who could benefit from a new environment heading into the 2024 season.
Although he agreed to a four-year, $96 million contract extension with the Buffalo Bills in 2022, Diggs soon seemed to grow unhappy with his situation in Western New York. Over time, it became clear that the Bills and Diggs were headed toward a divorce. The standout wide receiver is now breaking his silence on how his split with the Bills came to fruition.
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Stefon Diggs #14 of the Buffalo Bills warms up before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
“Last year, I was in the worst mental state I've been in since I've been in the league,” Diggs told GQ Sports. “If I'm not in a good state, it's obviously not the best for me. So that's when things started to change.”
BILLS BRASS EXPLAINS HOW THE 'ALBATROSS' CONTRACT LED TO THE DECISION TO LET GO OF STEFON DIGGS
Diggs' 2023 campaign got off to a promising start. He recorded at least 100 receiving yards in five of the first six games of the season, but he finished the year at a much slower pace. Diggs only managed to surpass the 80-yard receiving mark twice over the final 11 weeks of the regular season.
Stefon Diggs #14 of the Buffalo Bills reacts during the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Highmark Stadium on January 21, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Timothy T. Ludwig/Getty Images)
The Bills defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in the wild-card round before falling to the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round. Diggs finished the game against the Steelers with 52 receiving yards, but only managed to catch a 7-yard pass in the divisional round.
Diggs highlighted the Bills' performance down the stretch last season when discussing his eventual departure.
August 17, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Stefon Diggs (1) before the game against the New York Giants at NRG Stadium. (Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports)
“The games looked a lot different,” Diggs said. “You can blame me. I don't mind blaming myself. I've got big shoulders. But pay attention, pay close attention. Watch the game. Of course there are a lot of plays I want back. But there are a lot of plays that didn't go my way.”
Diggs went on to wonder what contributed to the drop in production as the season progressed.
“I need a lot of things to go right for me to get the ball. … You can't just roll out of bed and get 800 yards in the first eight games. Your best receiver is doing it. Tell me about the last 10. What changed? Were there changes? I'm just paying attention to what actually happened and not what people are trying to make out happened. For example, in the last 10 games, have I forgotten how to play football?”
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Wide receiver Gabe Davis also left the Bills this offseason when the 25-year-old signed with the Jacksonville JaguarsBut Bills management signed veteran receivers Curtis Samuel and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
In April, Buffalo selected the former Florida State wide receiver. Keon Coleman in the second round.
“I'd say our receiver room right now is like Baskin-Robbins,” Bills general manager Brandon Beane joked. “We have a lot of flavors.”
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