The Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots are set for action in Week 5 of the NFL season.
Receiver Stefon Diggs is returning to Buffalo for the first time since being traded from the organization. It was a difficult departure, with an offseason spent with cryptic messages , the Bills front office ultimately dealt Diggs to the Houston Texans and had to eat a large portion of dead cap to make the move work. There was clearly animosity between the two parties.
Ahead of the matchup, Diggs was asked about his return to Buffalo and what it means to him. An emotional Diggs laid it all out on the line about his return to Orchard Park, New York. It means a lot to him, and the veteran receiver still has a lot of love for his former teammates.
"Obviously, it was hard for me; it was a difficult time," Diggs said. "I spent so much time there, built a lot of bonds, a lot of friendships. So it's obviously going to be hard and emotional. So, for me, I look forward to going back and seeing those guys. And you know, it's just the nature of the business, I'm not in control of nothing. I get open, I catch the ball, but as far as the internal stuff, obvioulsy I miss those guys over there.
Stefon Diggs back in Buffalo under the bright lights
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"Me being there before obviously people are going to make that a huge thing and it is a huge thing for me," Diggs added. "I got a lot of respect and I got a lot of love for that city and that fan base and even the players over there [ . . . ] It's going to be so nice to see those guys for me. I try to be as professional, obviously I hold them near and dear to my heart. Football means a lot to me, and the guys that I spent a lot of time over there, I'm going to give them a big hug."
In 2020, the Buffalo Bills acquired Diggs and a seventh-round pick in exchange for a 2020 first-round pick, a 2020 fifth-round pick, a 2020 sixth-round pick, and a 2021 fourth-round pick. It was a monster trade for the Bills, and during his four years in Buffalo, Diggs was beyond elite.
In four years, Diggs started 65 games for the Bills and totaled 445 receptions for 5,372 yards and 37 touchdowns. The joke among the Bills Mafia whenever Diggs would score was "17++14=6" with just how effective quarterback Josh Allen was with his number one receiver.
THERE GOES @STEFONDIGGS.
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However, the new offense led by an 'everybody eats' mantra could've been one of the reasons why Diggs wanted out of Buffalo, and was so vocal about wanting to be traded away. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady has unlocked something special in the offense with his new game plan that's been a part of the team's identity since he took over as offensive coordinator in 2023.
Allen and head coach Sean McDermott , along with offensive lineman Dion Dawkins, had all shed light on the receiver's return to Orchard Park, New York, ahead of the Week 5 game. The sentiment was the same for all parties; it's all love. Now, that's not to say that Diggs won't get his fair share of boos in the contest, as Bills Mafia still remembers his bitter exit just a few short years ago
Nevertheless, it's an emotional reunion for Diggs as the Patriots are going to try and come into Western New York and walk out with a victory, something that's been increasingly difficult for teams to do over the past few seasons.
All eyes will be on Diggs when he takes the field at Highmark Stadium. Whether he's met with cheers or boos, one thing is certain: his return to Buffalo will be one of the most emotional storylines of Week 5.
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