At least one NFL insider has some inclination about the murky tension between Stefon Diggs and the Buffalo Bills.
Former quarterback Robert Griffin III, who now works as an analyst for ESPN, believes the issue between Diggs and the Bills organization is a result of a strained relationship between the star wide receiver and franchise quarterback Josh Allen.
“I think it’s clear this is a personal thing between Josh and Diggs, and they have to get their partnership back on the field, and that’s part of playing quarterback,” RGIII said on “The Rich Eisen Show.”
“Everything is fine until it’s not fine in a relationship when it comes to a quarterback and a wide receiver like Diggs, so Josh has to manage that relationship the right way, and he’s the only one that can rectify it,” Griffin III added.
Diggs’ fraught relationship with his team became apparent when he was not present at the first day of mandatory minicamp, which head coach Sean McDermott said he was “very concerned” about.
Subsequent reports revealed that Diggs was upset about his “role in the offense” and “voice in play-calling,” which matched up with a public episode of frustration between Diggs and Allen during their AFC Divisional Round game against Cincinnati — in which the wide receiver flailed his arms and appeared to rant at Allen on the bench.
Griffin confirmed the reports, saying Diggs was miffed that Allen did not target him more down the stretch in the pivotal game against the Bengals.
The star wideout is coming off of another All-Pro campaign in which he caught 108 passes for 1,429 yards and 11 touchdowns.
He has since returned to Bills practice.
“Diggs wants to win like every other player wants to win, and I think that if they can rekindle that bromance, Josh Allen’s gotta do something to relight that fire between the two of them,” Griffin said.
“I think that’s what will be the key for the Bills to be successful this year, especially because they have Super Bowl aspirations.”
