The Buffalo Bills recently traded their star wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans. This move has surprised many football fans because Diggs was a key target for Bills quarterback Josh Allen. However, NFL analyst Rob Parker says he wasn’t shocked by the trade as he believes signs were pointing to it after the 2023 season.
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One of the major reasons for the trade as revealed by Rob Parker on FOX Sports Radio was the off-season controversy that brewed between Diggs and Bills’ head coach Sean McDermott. Last season, when Stefon Diggs skipped mandatory minicamps, it left the head coach puzzled.
Diggs’ absence raised questions about communication issues between the team management and the players. However, once he returned, things were back to normal. Still, the wide receiver was expected to deliver outstanding performances last season.
Stefon Diggs was not at the Bills mandatory minicamp today.
HC Sean McDermott is “very concerned” pic.twitter.com/HPEjzOPSTf
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 13, 2023
However, things didn’t go as the team had hoped. Parker pointed out that Diggs seemed to be less involved in the Bills’ games, especially after the team fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey. Last season also witnessed Stefon Diggs getting his worst stats since joining the Bills. In 17 games, he caught 107 passes for 1,183 yards and 8 touchdowns.
Hence, despite his star status, he faded away when it mattered the most, raising concerns about his performances. Parker said,
“And then we saw them go on a run last year, the last five or six games, Chris he wouldn’t be no where to be found. Like he was non existent. And maybe it was their Chris that they either said that they’ve had enough and then don’t forget, he missed a big catch in the playoffs.”
— NFL UK (@NFLUK) January 22, 2024
The final nail in the coffin, as per Parker was Diggs’ crucial drop in the Divisional Round game against the Kansas City Chiefs. With just over 8 minutes left in the fourth quarter and the Bills trailing 27-24, Josh Allen threw a perfect 64-yard pass to the wide receiver. But Diggs couldn’t hold on to it, costing the Bills a chance to win the game. They ended up losing 27-24.
Shawn Merriman Questions Buffalo Bills’ Trade Logic in Stefon Diggs Deal
Former NFL star linebacker Shawn Merriman expressed his lack of surprise regarding Stefon Diggs’ trade from the Buffalo Bills to the Houston Texans. However, Merriman seemed confused about the value of the trade, stating that the Buffalo Bills didn’t receive what they should have for Diggs. He said,
“The Buffalo Bills didn’t get anywhere close to what they should have gotten for Stefon Diggs. So, that part didn’t make any sense at all.”
He believes the Texans came out as clear winners in the trade, considering Diggs’ status as a top wide receiver in the league. Despite Diggs having four seasons left on his contract, the Bills traded him to the Texans for a 2025 2nd-round pick along with future draft picks. Although this move frees up $19 million cap space for 2025, Merriman feels the Bills could have gotten more in the trade.
