What seems like annual cryptic messages from Stefon Diggs has finally come to fruition. The Buffalo Bills decided to trade Diggs not to his desired Texas destination but to the Houston Texans instead. This move doesn’t come as a shock but surprisingly may have happened later than expected. For multiple years, there was speculation Diggs was unhappy and wanted out of Buffalo. After being traded for practically nothing, one could wonder if this was the beginning of the end for Buffalo’s successful run.
From an outsider’s perspective, the Diggs and Allen bond was broken beyond repair. Teams don’t trade their four-time pro bowler especially when that move forces them to eat $31 million in dead cap. It shows just how desperate they were to wipe their hands clean of Diggs. Now with Diggs gone and Gabe Davis being a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, it seems there’s a trickle-down effect that started with free agency.
Is Success Coming To An End For Buffalo?
Rebuild or Future Investment?
It feels like the Bills are somewhat in rebuild mode which is unusual for a team that’s been consistently successful and has owned their division the last four years. After a playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Bills head coach Sean McDermott informed the media the offseason plan wasn’t to start from scratch but to run it back for next season. “This is not a situation where you strip it down to the studs and you start all over,” McDermott said. However, outside of the two receivers and names like Jordan Poyer, Mitch Morse, and Micah Hyde no longer on the roster, it feels like a rebuild.
The New York Jets dominated free agency and will get a healthy Aaron Rodgers back. The Miami Dolphins may have lost pieces defensively, but Mike McDaniel and the offense remain one of the best. While teams in the East got better the Bills have gotten worse. As of now, Khalil Shakir is their wide receiver one who hasn’t shown he’s ready. Shakir finished his 2023 campaign with 39 receptions, 611 yards and two touchdowns. They have a gem in Dalton Kincaid but they need a young wide receiver with superstar potential and youth. They replaced 31-year-old Diggs and 25-year-old Davis with 31-year-old Mack Hollins and 28-year-old Curtis Samuel. If they are investing in their future they’re moving backwards.
Could Bills Mafia Grow Unhappy?
Bills Mafia is a wild but devoted fanbase with Super Bowl or bust expectations for their team. For the last five years, they’ve seen nothing but success, however, they’ve lost and gotten worse this offseason. If they don’t match that same success from previous years there’s a possibility Bills Mafia could look for front office changes. We’ve seen how fast fans could change by Diggs’ latest interaction on social media. Fans are already taking jabs at him and he didn’t hide his opinion, hinting at a tweet he liked saying “Bills lowkey got the worst fanbase”. Ex-Bills wide receiver Cole Beasley also shared back-and-forth interactions with a tweet saying “ Some of the Bills fans are delusional”. After a fan compared Caitlin Clark and Allen by saying both are asked to beat entire teams alone. Beasley also added, “ The only time he was truly alone out there was 2018. We had good teams every year after that.”
If fans feel he was alone throughout his career they aren’t ready for the 2024 season. They’ve been spoiled with great weapons and success, they can’t handle another year similar to the last. At the Week 12 mark, they looked depleted. They were sitting at 6-6, it looked as if Miami had the division won, and their playoff hopes were in jeopardy. They were able to win five straight to win the division and win a playoff game as well. However, they don’t have the same talent on their roster to pull off a repeat of last year. If things are similar this upcoming season there could be a strong chance Bills fans will be looking to get McDermott out of there.
A New Star in Buffalo
The dream scenario in the draft will be to find their version of Justin Jefferson. Von Miller hinted on social media the Bills could be trading up to take a wide receiver. They have four wide receivers in their Top-30 Pre-Draft Official Visits. Those four names include Ryan Flournoy, Troy Franklin, Devontez “Tez” Walker, and Xavier Worthy. Quite a few mock drafts have them taking Adonai Mitchell with their first-round pick but if they do trade up it could be a blockbuster trade to take either Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze.
All Eyes On You
Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins was surprised when Diggs was traded but like his teammates, he’s believing and trusting in Bills General Manager Brandon Beane. He also expressed he still believes his quarterback can lead them to a Super Bowl. “It’s always open. Like it could be a little bit more, but nah it’s open” Dawkins said. “And as long as Josh is at quarterback, that’s what I can talk for” he added.
With two of his big-time receiving threats gone Allen will have to elevate the talent around him. That’s’ what elite quarterbacks do and he’s going to have more pressure on him this season than usual. Pressure makes diamonds but he’s already proven he’s one of the best in the league. He’s going on year seven, has a list of accomplishments, and Bills Mafia is craving a Super Bowl. All eyes are on you, Mr. Allen.
Main Image: David Dermer-USA TODAY Sports
