A familiar face for the Buffalo Bills is joining one of their most hated rivals, as Stefon Diggs has agreed to a three-year deal worth $69 million, $26 million of it guaranteed.
For a 31-year-old wide receiver that is trying to return from an ACL tear after multiple years of declining production, the investment from the Patriots as they try to bolster their offense around second-year quarterback Drake Maye is significant.
Diggs had an unceremonious exit from the Buffalo locker room. With his interactions with the media and his sideline personality, it was clear that it was time for both sides to move on. In sending Diggs and a sixth-round pick to Houston, the Bills acquired a 2025 2nd, which will be the 56th overall pick in this year's draft.
Brandon Beane did a good job to get valuable compensation back a year before Diggs hit free agency. Now, the Bills will watch him return to Orchard Park at least once per year, now as a member of the hated Patriots.
Over the last three seasons, Diggs' average yards per reception has dropped from 13.2 to 10.6, with last year's injury-shortened campaign marking his first season below 1,000 receiving yards since 2017.
The Patriots are counting on the former alpha wide receiver to return to form and lead their receiving corps after the team failed to have a wide receiver eclipse 621 receiving yards last season. If healthy, Diggs could absolutely provide a boost to a Patriots team that is looking to return to a competitive level under new head coach and former player Mike Vrabel. No matter how it works out, the popcorn will surely be ready when the Bills and Patriots meet next season.
