After the Buffalo Bills traded top wide receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans this offseason, quarterback Josh Allen is ready to look ahead rather than back.
Ahead of the team’s preseason opener against the Chicago Bears on August 10, Allen was asked whether he missed Diggs on the field. The Bills quarterback admitted that he would miss the intensity that the All-Pro receiver brought to the offense but added that he’s happy with what the team has put together after his departure.
“I think Stef’s a great player, and what he brought to this team was special,” Allen said, via the team’s official website. “So, ‘miss’ is, I don’t know if I’d say ‘miss,’ he was a guy that was reliable, you could look to. He’s going to have the juice each and every day — I’m sure he’s bringing it over there in Houston. So definitely, you can’t say that you don’t miss that. But I am very happy with what we have going on here and how hard the guys have been working.”
Bills Bring New Look After Stefon Diggs Trade
The Bills made some big changes on offense after trading Diggs and losing No. 2 receiver Gabe Davis in free agency. The team brought on a trio of veteran wide receivers — Curtis Samuel, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Chase Claypool — and used their top draft pick on receiver Keon Coleman.
Allen admitted that it would be difficult to fully fill the void left by Diggs, but said he has been impressed by the work ethic from the entire group of wide receivers so far this offseason.
“I’m very comfortable with the guys that we’ve brought in,” Allen said. “It’s no secret, Stef was an All-Pro here. He’s got the stats to back it up, each year he had 100-plus catches and 1,000-plus yards. That’s a heavy workload for someone to come in and fill those shoes.
“I understand that the guys in that room understand that, but at the same time, the approach that these guys have had of working hard and putting their head down, and when they get the ball, they get the ball, and when they don’t, they’re doing everything they can to help somebody else get the ball and break them free. So, I guess we’ll find out.”
Bills Could Have Surprises on Offense
The Bills could also see some unexpected contributors on offense in the coming season. Tyrell Shavers, who joined the Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and spent the season on the practice squad, has earned good reviews at training camp.
Bills head coach Sean McDermott hinted that Shavers could play a role on the roster in the coming season, contributing on both offense and special teams.
“I think Shavers, overall, I mentioned before, he’s just so darn consistent in his daily approach,” McDermott said, via SI.com. “I just really appreciate it, he’s out there playing special teams. He had one of the better reps on special teams for us the other day. He’s doing a nice job, we’ll see where it goes.”