On Wednesday, the Buffalo Bills did something out of the ordinary for a contender. Their starting wide receiver was traded. Stefon Diggs, a wide receiver who spent four seasons with the Buffalo Bills and amassed 5,372 receiving yards, 37 touchdowns, and four Pro Bowl nominations, is leaving for the Houston Texans in return for a draft choice.
General manager Brandon Beane of the Bills had some questions to answer on Wednesday as a result of this. His responses suggested a group making a temporary sacrifice while being well conscious of the fact that it still has a ways to go:
The Bills lacked the salary room necessary to begin Diggs's four-year, $70 million deal. This next season, the club will be saddled with $31 million in dead money, while setting aside almost $27 million for the 2025 season.
Of course, there had been indications of Diggs' dissatisfaction with Buffalo before, such as the day before when the veteran sharply asked Robert Griffin III, "You sure?" in response to Griffin III's claim that Diggs was fundamental to quarterback Josh Allen's performance.
We may soon have a rather good test of that assertion. Khalil Shakir, Curtis Samuel, and Mack Hollins are currently at the top of the Bills' depth chart at wide receiver. None of these players reached 700 receiving yards in a single season. The competition for the tight end position also includes Dawson Knox and Dalton Kincaid.
For the time being, Beane voiced his faith in the organization, but he made no secret of the fact that he would be seeking assistance:
Michael Thomas, Odell Beckham Jr., and Hunter Renfrow are among the several veteran wide receivers that are still available for signing. There is a great class of wide receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft, and the Bills have the 28th overall selection. They might potentially move up in the class.
Even while Beane didn't tell Allen about the impending relocation, he did warn him that something was coming, according to Beane:
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