Bills GM says he, Josh Allen communicated before Stefon Diggs trade

Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane. Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Bills GM says he and QB Josh Allen communicated before trading Stefon Diggs

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 4/8/24

It had been speculated for the last two offseasons, and last week, it finally happened.

Stefon Diggs’ separation from the Buffalo Bills seemed like an eventuality at some point, and General Manager Brandon Beane finally pulled the trigger, sending the two-time All-Pro receiver to the Houston Texans for a 2025 second-round pick in a move that shook up the power balance in the AFC.

The move seemingly materialized quickly, but Beane said quarterback Josh Allen wasn’t kept in the dark about it.

“I did alert (Allen) that there had been some inquiries and it wasn't 100% off the table," Beane told reporters last week. “… Josh and I have a pretty regular conversation on things, and I think it's important for me to make sure if I think something could happen to make sure he's not blindsided.”

Despite what both players were saying publicly, Allen’s relationship with Diggs appeared to grow toxic over the last two seasons.

Diggs and the two-time Pro Bowler had their share of sideline spats over the years, and one of the final straws presumably came following the Bills’ Week 1 loss to the New York Jets. Allen and Diggs reportedly exchanged some heated words in the locker room after the game.

But despite any friction, there’s no denying Allen and Diggs were one of the best QB-WR duos in the NFL over the last four years.

Diggs led the league in both receptions and yards in his first season in Buffalo, and he logged 150 or more targets, 103 or more receptions, 1,183 or more yards and eight or more touchdowns every season he was paired with Allen.

Conversely, Allen has thrown for 4,283 yards and 29 or more touchdowns every season he had Diggs, and he’s 48-18 as the Bills’ starter with Diggs and 15-12 without him. Allen also finished in the top five in MVP voting three of the four seasons Diggs was with the Bills.

“They've been a really good duo,” Beane said. “I don't think Stef made All-Pro before he got here, and he made multiple and some Pro Bowls in there, too. And, Josh ramped up as well. So I do think when they were clicking, the games they were clicking or the seasons they were really clicking, you could say they were probably up there with most any quarterback-receiver.”

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