Bills’ Allen takes some of blame for Diggs drama

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — After missing all of the Buffalo Bills‘ voluntary OTAs, wide receiver Stefon Diggs is not in attendance for the team’s mandatory minicamp.

Bills coach Sean McDermott called Diggs’ absence “very concerning” prior to Tuesday’s minicamp practice. The team is also scheduled to practice Wednesday and Thursday. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Diggs was in the team’s facility Monday.

The wide receiver signed a four-year, $96 million extension last offseason and trading him would incur a significant dead cap hit, including $13.2 million this year. Diggs, 29, and the Bills had their sights set on him retiring with the Bills when the contract was signed in April 2022.

“When players miss, in particular player of Stef’s caliber, you’d love to have those players here,” McDermott said. “So, overall been pleased with the attendance and the guys’ effort.”

After the team’s postseason loss to the Bengals in January, Diggs was noticeably upset with quarterback Josh Allen on the sideline and left before talking to the media. At times this offseason, Diggs’ tweets have gotten attention for being cryptic about his time with the team.

Diggs has totaled 1,200-plus receiving yards in each of his three seasons with the Bills. He has totaled 29 touchdowns. Allen and Diggs have connected on 338 completions over the past three seasons, the most for any quarterback-receiver duo in the NFL since 2020.

Last week, general manager Brandon Beane said that he anticipates “everyone will be here. I haven’t been told otherwise.” Pass rusher Von Miller also said this offseason that he expected Diggs to be at minicamp.

Behind Diggs, the wide receiver room contains Gabe Davis, Trent Sherfield and Deonte Harty. The Bills drafted tight end Dalton Kincaid in the first round this year.