Why a trade involving star Buffalo receiver isn't out of the picture

A Stefon Diggs trade seems unlikely, both from a tactical and financial perspective. But it isn't completely out of the picture.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott fanned the flames surrounding Diggs on Tuesday, telling reporters he was "very concerned" that Diggs wasn't at practice.

Teammates including Von Miller and Josh Allen downplayed Diggs' absence, with Miller saying it's "really not that serious" and Allen declaring, "This does not work, what we're doing here, without him." (h/t ESPN)

If McDermott's concern turns out to be correct, the team could make the costly decision to trade Diggs, but as Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio notes, it isn't impossible, If he's traded, Diggs' cap hit in 2024 would be $31 million, a substantial amount but only $4.151 million more than his cap number if he is on the team next season.

Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is available in free agency. Buffalo could sign him, trade Diggs for future draft picks, and use a pick next year on a wide receiver.

ESPN's Bill Barnwell noted the team would save $1.6 million this year, which could be used on a player such as Hopkins. A potential Diggs trade carries some risks with it, however, and they might be so big that they outweigh the benefits of trading him.