Josh Allen takes some responsibility for the Stefon Diggs drama

Orchard Park, New York – Buffalo bills quarterback Josh Allen said the wide receiver Stephen DiggsThe absence from Tuesday’s first mandatory mini-camp training, after leaving the facility earlier in the day, comes from an issue the team is working on internally.

The quarterback said he doesn’t think there’s a personality conflict between him and Diggs, but there are things that could have been improved last year. Some examples Allen gave of what the Bills could do to support Diggs is to incorporate him “a little better in what we’re doing here” and “get on the ball or be more involved in the game plan.”

It was about “teamwork” and about more than just football, Allen said, but he did put some of the responsibility on himself, saying, “There are things I can do better to help in the process and try to get him back here and be the Buffalo Bill that he was meant to be.” .

“I think as an organization, maybe I’m not communicating in the right way with everything,” Allen said. “So again, just trying to talk and listen at the same time and listen to him. And like I said, just try to move forward as quickly and respectfully as possible.”

The duo spoke on Tuesday, per Allen, and the quarterback downplayed the wide receiver’s absence with it being June and there was plenty of time before the season began. rusher pass Von Miller He also noted that not having Diggs here for practice at this time of year “isn’t really that serious,” and both players expressed their love and support for the wide receiver.

“Steve, he’s my guy,” Allen said. “Oops… I love him. He’s a brother to me. It doesn’t work, what we do here, without him. We wish he was here today and he was out there in the field with us and that’s not the case, but I support him no matter what. And again, I have no doubt we’ll find out what’s going on. I love it. I can’t stress that enough.”

The unorthodox day began with coach Sean McDermott saying before practice that Diggs was not present and that he was “very, very concerned” about the absence. Allen described the response as “a typical reaction from a coach. He obviously wants everybody here.”

Bills and Diggs agent Adisa Bakari, who spoke with ESPN’s Adam Schefter, said Diggs was in the building Monday and present Tuesday morning. Bakare said Diggs took his body, met with McDermott and general manager Brandon Bean over the past two days, and “will be there for the duration of mini-camp.”

According to the bills, Diggs left the facility before Tuesday’s practice. He was not present for any part of the team’s practice on the facility’s outdoor field. The team is also scheduled to train on Wednesday and Thursday. The wide receiver was not present for any of the team’s VTAs.

Especially when players miss [a] You love having these guys here, said McDermott, a player of Steve’s caliber. So, overall, I was happy with the attendance and the guys’ efforts.

McDermott is not scheduled to speak to the media again before training camp.

Diggs signed a four-year, $96 million extension last season, and his trading will take a huge hit, including $13.2 million this year. His deal included a guaranteed $70 million, the third most ever for a wide receiver. Diggs, 29, and Buffalo had their sights set on retiring with the Bills when the contract was signed in April 2022.

After a postseason loss to the Bengals in January that marked Buffalo’s offense’s lowest production of the year, Diggs was noticeably upset with Allen on the sidelines and left before speaking to the media. At times this season, Diggs’ tweets have gotten attention for being vague about his time with the team. However, this is not uncommon.

Diggs’ production declined in the second half of the 2022 season. He started the year at an accelerated pace for his best career season statistically with 72 receptions on 98 targets for 985 yards and seven touchdowns in his first nine games. In the nine games that followed, including the postseason, Diggs caught 47 receptions on 74 targets and four touchdowns.

Diggs totaled over 1,200 yards in each of his three seasons with the Bills. He totaled 29 touchdowns. Allen and Diggs were associated with 338 completions over the past three seasons, the most for any NFL quarterback duo since 2020. Last week, Bean said he expected that “everyone will be here. I haven’t been told otherwise.”

Behind Diggs is a spacious reception room Gabe DavisAnd Trent SherfieldAnd Duent Harty And Khalil Shaker. Drafting narrow end bills Dalton Kincaid In the first round this year.