On Sunday, New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs is set to face his former team, the Buffalo Bills, at Highmark Stadium for the first time since being traded in April 2024.
The relationship between Diggs and Buffalo didn’t end amicably. The Bills dealt the WR to the Houston Texans amid reported tension with quarterback Josh Allen and the coaching staff. However, that doesn’t mean he no longer has fond memories of his former team.
Stefon Diggs says return to Buffalo will be ’emotional’
“To me, obviously, it’s a little sentimental. I spent a lot of time there,” Diggs said Wednesday, via Khari Thompson of Boston.com. “I’m really familiar with the staff, familiar with the guys there. The guys that I’ve maintained a relationship with, I’m looking forward to seeing them play. It’s going to be a little emotional.
“I try to keep the main thing the main thing, but it’s my first time back there. It’s going to be a hell of an atmosphere. I was part of that for a long time. I played there before I got there. So, I’m excited.”
Buffalo may not be as excited to see Diggs, who’s coming off a 101-yard receiving performance in a 42-13 win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 4. They know firsthand he’s hard to stop.
After acquiring him from the Minnesota Vikings in March 2020, Diggs made four Pro Bowls and earned a 2020 first-team All-Pro nod with the Bills. When they lost 23-20 to the Texans last season, Diggs had six receptions for 82 yards.
Allen remains unsure whether the emotions of his return to Buffalo will fuel another monster performance from Diggs.
“We played him last year,” Allen told the media Wednesday while downplaying Diggs’ return. “So, I don’t think it’s anything super crazy, but obviously being back in Buffalo, who knows if the emotions are going to be heightened for him or for the fans or whatever it is, but we’re just going to go out there and try to perform the best we can.”
The Bills must be on top of their game to shut down Diggs during “Sunday Night Football,” set for 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC. He’ll want to make his new QB, Drake Maye, look fantastic in a pivotal AFC East matchup and to show why some of his former teammates may miss him.
