Buffalo Bills star pass-rusher Von Miller isn’t too worried wide receiver Stefon Diggs is skipping voluntary organized team activities this spring.
“He’s not here right now, but I don’t think it should ever be a question is football No. 1 on his mind,” Miller told John Wawrow of the Associated Press about Diggs. Miller expects Diggs to report for mandatory practices next month.
Diggs famously expressed frustrations during and after the 27-10 playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in January that he ended with just four catches on 10 targets for 35 yards and no touchdowns. He seemed to confront quarterback Josh Allen during the game and reportedly had to be convinced to return to the locker room for the post-defeat talk.
Diggs later defended his actions via Twitter when he wrote Buffalo’s level of play against Cincinnati was “not up to the standard” and that “it’s easy to criticize my reaction more than the result.”
Miller insisted Diggs remains dedicated to the cause of winning with the Bills.
“He’s going to show that he’s a better version of Stefon Diggs on and off the football field. And for me and my point of view as a teammate … those are really the things that matter to me,” Miller said. “Is he going to be better than last year? Is he going to compete? Does he still love the game? And all of those boxes are checked.”
Both Bills general manager Brandon Beane and head coach Sean McDermott brushed off potential concerns regarding Diggs’ attitude earlier this offseason, but the 29-year-old generated additional headlines when he said during an appearance on Uninterrupted’s “The Shop” he was baffled by Buffalo’s playoff woes that include the organization failing to reach the Super Bowl over the past three seasons.
“He’s not going anywhere,” Miller added about Diggs. “God, the Josh Allen to Stefon Diggs connection is what makes all of these things go for us here in Buffalo. Sometimes you just need a little bit of time.”
In fairness to Miller, there is still some time before Diggs’ absence becomes more than a minor talking point for analysts and fans ahead of the Memorial Day holiday.
