Stefon Diggs: Why Did He Leave the Bills & Why Was He Traded?
When the Buffalo Bills shocked the NFL world by trading Stefon Diggs in April 2024, many fans and analysts were left asking: Why would a contending team part ways with its star receiver? The story is complex, involving financial pressures, interpersonal friction, contractual dynamics, and a changing player mindset. In this article, we unpack the multiple layers behind Diggs’s exit from Buffalo and examine what this trade meant for both sides.
1. Background: Diggs’ Journey to Buffalo
Before diving into the exit, it’s helpful to recall how Diggs arrived in Buffalo and what he accomplished.
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Stefon Diggs began his NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings after being drafted in 2015.
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In March 2020, the Vikings traded Diggs to the Buffalo Bills, and he quickly formed a strong connection with quarterback Josh Allen.
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His first season in Buffalo was spectacular — he led the league with 127 catches and 1,535 receiving yards, shattering the Bills’ franchise single-season receiving yardage mark.
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Over the next few seasons, Diggs remained a central offensive weapon for Buffalo, delivering Pro Bowl-level performances.
Thus, Diggs’s departure wasn’t due to lack of talent — it was a multi-headed issue.
2. The Trade Deal: What Buffalo Actually Gave Up
On April 3, 2024, the Bills traded Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans. The full trade package looked like this:
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Buffalo sends:
• Stefon Diggs
• A 2024 sixth-round pick
• A 2025 fifth-round pick -
Buffalo receives:
• A 2025 second-round pick (via Minnesota)
This blockbuster move meant Buffalo would absorb $31 million in dead cap — money on their books for a player no longer on the roster.
In effect, Buffalo chose to pay significant short-term financial pain to rid themselves of the longer-term obligations tied to Diggs’s contract. The motivation? Cap flexibility and organizational reset. Stefon Diggs trade from Bills.
3. Why Did Diggs Leave the Bills? — Key Factors
Let’s break down the major reasons behind the split.
3.1 Salary Cap & Contract Burden
One of the most tangible drivers was financial and salary cap pressure. Buffalo’s front office recognized that Diggs’s contract would become increasingly onerous relative to team flexibility.
By trading Diggs, the Bills removed the final three years of his contract from their books, even though they accepted a massive dead-cap hit in 2024.
Front office statements confirm that the trade was a bold bet: absorb a big hit now in order to position the team better in the coming seasons.
3.2 Friction & Relationship Strains
Beyond money, internal relationships began to fray.
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Diggs had growing tension with quarterback Josh Allen. At times, sideline interactions and disagreements became visible.
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During Buffalo’s 2022 playoff loss to Cincinnati, Diggs was visibly upset on the sidelines in a confrontation with Allen, a moment widely interpreted as symptomatic of deeper discord.
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Reports suggest Diggs was unhappy with changes in roles and offensive systems, particularly as new coaching or scheme adjustments were introduced.
Team sources indicate that while there was no confirmed formal trade request, Diggs was “open to a change of scenery.”
3.3 Declining Mental Wellness / Personal Unrest
In interviews following the trade, Diggs has acknowledged struggles on and off the field in his final Bills season.
He described being in a difficult mental space, critical of how his usage and system fit were affecting his performance.
Such internal discontent can compound even in top-tier athletes, especially when combined with mounting external expectations.
3.4 Competitive Ceiling & Frustration with Postseason Failures
Another less-discussed angle: frustration over Buffalo’s consistent playoff heartbreaks, particularly at the hands of the Kansas City Chiefs.
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Some insiders believe Diggs may have doubted Buffalo’s ability to ever overcome Kansas City and win a title.
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If a player does not perceive a realistic path to a championship, motivation and willingness to accept constraints can erode.
Thus, for Diggs, leaving Buffalo may have represented a desire for a fresh start and renewed opportunity.
4. The Bills’ Perspective & Why They Pulled the Trigger
While many fans view the trade as shocking, the Bills had reasons of their own.
4.1 Resetting the Roster & Cap
By eating $31 million in dead cap, Buffalo cleared the path to restructure and reallocate resources in future seasons.
In particular, freeing up cap room allowed them to focus on building depth rather than maintaining a high-priced star who may be disillusioned.
4.2 Minimizing Distraction & Fractured Relations
When a star player becomes a source of internal friction, it can become a distraction. The Bills leadership likely concluded that the internal cost (in chemistry and morale) outweighed retaining Diggs.
In other words, cutting ties—even at a high upfront cost—was seen as necessary for organizational cohesion.
4.3 Capitalizing via Draft Assets
Though the return wasn’t immediately spectacular, Buffalo secured a future second-round pick, which offers long-term value versus being locked into term and salary risk.
From Buffalo’s vantage point, trading a grizzled asset for future flexibility and reinvestment potential was strategically sound. Stefon Diggs trade from Bills.
5. What Happened Next: Diggs in Houston, and Beyond
5.1 Diggs in Houston
After being traded, Diggs landed in Houston with a one-year “rental” style contract.
He began the season well, with 47 catches for 496 yards in eight games, before suffering a torn ACL that cut his season short.
5.2 Free Agency & Patriots Move
In March 2025, Diggs signed a 3-year contract with the New England Patriots, reportedly worth $69 million (with $26 million guaranteed).
His move to New England offered a fresh start and a chance to reestablish himself post-injury.
5.3 Buffalo After Diggs
Buffalo’s receiving corps had to retool going into 2024 — wide receivers like Khalil Shakir, among others, assumed greater roles.
Despite missing Diggs, the Bills had success in the 2024 season, reaching the AFC Championship Game.
This suggests that Buffalo managed to absorb the loss and remain competitive — validating, in part, their tough decision.
6. Did the Bills Make a Mistake?
Opinions differ. Some believe Buffalo delivered a masterstroke by cutting bait before Diggs’s value declined further. Others argue they sacrificed too much talent and chemistry for modest draft compensation.
Points favoring Bills:
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They removed a potentially volatile element and gained salary flexibility.
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The team remained competitive in 2024, even without their star wideout.
Points against:
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The dead-cap hit was steep, and they lost a proven elite receiver.
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The draft compensation was not blockbuster — some argue they could have negotiated a better deal.
In the end, the trade was a high-stakes gamble aligned with Buffalo’s long-term projection rather than short-term sentiment. Stefon Diggs trade from Bills.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Did Stefon Diggs ask for a trade from Buffalo?
A1. There is no official record of a formal trade request, but multiple sources suggest Diggs was open to leaving.
Q2. How much dead cap did Buffalo take in the Diggs trade?
A2. The Bills absorbed about $31 million in dead cap when they traded Diggs.
Q3. What did Buffalo receive in return for Diggs?
A3. Buffalo received a 2025 second-round pick (via Minnesota) in exchange for Diggs, a 2024 sixth-rounder, and a 2025 fifth-rounder.
Q4. Was the trade considered controversial?
A4. Yes. It was widely considered surprising because Diggs was still productive, and the Bills were playoff contenders.
Q5. How did Diggs perform in Houston before the injury?
A5. Through eight games, he posted 47 receptions for 496 yards before suffering a season-ending ACL tear.
Q6. What is Diggs doing now (2025)?
A6. In 2025, Diggs signed with the New England Patriots on a multi-year deal, aiming to revive his career after injury. Stefon Diggs trade from Bills.
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