Bills shut Super Bowl window following blockbuster trade

There has been much speculation that four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs was unhappy in Buffalo. The Bills proved that to be true on Wednesday, trading the former All-Pro to another AFC contender.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Buffalo is trading Diggs, a 2024 sixth-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick, to Houston for a 2025 second-round pick.

The deal instantly makes the Texans a Super Bowl contender, giving 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud a receiving corps of Diggs, Nico Collins and Tank Dell while it all but shuts Buffalo's window.

The Bills have never been able to get over the hump, especially as of late, losing in the divisional round of the playoffs the last three straight seasons. This trade now forces the team to go into a bit of a reset.

Buffalo will still be competitive with Josh Allen at quarterback, but he doesn't have nearly as much to work with after losing wide receiver Gabe Davis (Jaguars) in free agency and now Diggs. 

Curtis Samuel, who just joined the team from Washington this offseason, Khalil Shakir, a fifth-round pick in 2022, and 30-year-old Mack Hollins now highlight the Bills' wide receiver room. Buffalo also has tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox, but without a true No. 1, the team is left searching for answers.

The Bills could find one of their answers in the 2024 NFL Draft, which is rich with wide receiver talent. However, Buffalo is likely out of reach from the top prospects as it isn't scheduled to make its first selection until pick No. 28, barring a trade-up.

The remaining wide receivers on the open market aren't ideal, but it wouldn't hurt the team to add to its thin room. The top free agents include former Raven Odell Beckham Jr., former Bengal Tyler Boyd and former Saint Michael Thomas.

Diggs joins the growing list of key players to leave the Bills this offseason, including center Mitch Morse, linebacker Leonard Floyd, cornerback Tre'Davious White and safety Jordan Poyer.

Now, Buffalo is left to think about what could have been as the franchise continues to search for a recipe for its first Super Bowl championship, with plenty of work ahead.