The Buffalo Bills and Stefon Diggs have been synonymous with Stefon Diggs since the AFC East squad landed the former Vikings superstar WR with a blockbuster trade that took place during the 2020 NFL Draft.
Diggs immediately showcased chemistry with Bills franchise QB Josh Allen. He tallied 127 receptions and 1,535 yards, both marks leading the NFL, and eight touchdowns in his first season in Buffalo. Diggs earned his first Pro Bowl honor of his career and was voted First Team on the Associated Press’ All-Pro Team.
With the addition of Emmanuel Sanders in 2021, defenses struggled to find an answer for the speedy pair of Buffalo Bills wideouts and Diggs shined yet again, finishing the season with 1,225 receiving yards and a career-high 10 touchdowns and earning Pro Bowl honors for the second-consecutive season.
In the 2022 offseason, Diggs signed a four-year, $96 million contract extension with the Bills through the 2027 season. The massive jump in his salary didn’t hinder Diggs’ production as he closed out the year with 1,429 yards and a career high 11 touchdowns, while adding a third-straight Pro Bowl to his resume.
Stefon Diggs And Buffalo Bills Tension Began Ahead Of 2023 Season
Although Diggs recorded at least 100 yards in the first five games of the 2023 campaign, drama and tension began to form in the Bills locker room as his production began to drop once the team parted ways with OC Ken Dorsey and turned to Joe Brady.
Diggs still finished 2023 with 107 receptions for 1,183 yards and eight touchdowns and earned his fourth-straight trip to the Pro Bowl, but he dropped two key passes in the narrow 27-24 playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, an all-too familiar feeling for the Buffalo Bills.
Just four days into April, the Bills shocked the NFL world by trading Diggs to the Houston Texans in exchange for a second-round pick.
The trade marked the end of a seemingly tumultuous relationship between the Bills and their superstar WR.
Back in March, Diggs had a cryptic social media post where the wideout said he was “ready for watever.” That was just the latest in what appeared to be indicators that he wanted out from Buffalo, including being absent from the start of mandatory minicamp last year. At the Pro Bowl Games back in February, Diggs also cast some doubt on his future with the franchise. When asked if he was optimistic about his future with the Bills, he said, “I can’t tell you what the future holds, but I’m still being me.”
Buffalo Bills Take Immediate Shot At Stefon Diggs Following Chase Claypool Signing
The Buffalo Bills announced Friday that they signed wide receiver Chase Claypool to a one-year contract.
Claypool’s arrival adds some much-needed receiver depth in the wake of Diggs’ departure.
Buffalo also addressed wideout during the 2024 NFL draft, selecting Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman with the No. 33 overall pick in the second round who has a unique skillset that could translate to the NFL talent necessary to replace an elite No. 1 wideout like Diggs.
While the addition of Claypool certainly adds depth to a receiver room void of talent outside of the promising rookie, at least the Buffalo Bills are attempting to give Josh Allen enough targets for the offense to thrive in 2024.
Hours after his signing, the Bills decided to disrespect Stefon Diggs’ tenure, thereby immediately giving his number 14 jersey away to Chase Claypool.
Buffalo Bills WR Chase Claypool (@ChaseClaypool) is wearing number 14. Last assigned to Stefon Diggs. #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/fgQzbcIAi3
— NFL Jersey Numbers (@nfl_jersey_num) May 3, 2024
It’s wild to think if this was truly an intentional move from the Buffalo Bills to consider how bad things must have gotten behind-the-scenes, but it can likely be chalked up to a coincidence when it comes to the No. 14.
Claypool, 25, split the 2023 season with the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins. He recorded just eight receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown between the two stops, continuing a shocking downward spiral.
Originally drafted out of Notre Dame in the second round by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Claypool appeared to show promise his inaugural season, finishing 2020 with 873 yards (4th among rookies) and nine touchdowns (1st among rookies).
But his production began to decline and Claypool was ultimately traded to the Chicago Bears where he could never find a rhythm. He had a brief stint with the Miami Dolphins last season, but it’s clear the Buffalo Bills are banking on his early NFL success to help fill a significant void at wideout.