We finally know what Diggs was mad about… Kinda?
A few weeks ago I said that I was done covering former Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs until he pushed his way out of Buffalo once things weren’t going his way. Well, considering Diggs is leading the NFL in receiving yardage, that may have not have been my best take.
However, I am back at it, as Diggs spoke about his 2020 mentality and what he learned from his time in Minnesota and how it applies to his mentality now.
So, I put on my thinking cap to see if I could figure out what, exactly, Diggs was mad about during his time here (considering that Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins brought stability and down the field accuracy to the franchise and gave Diggs his first 1k season(S) and helped him become the best deep threat in the NFL.
“As far as my maturation process, I feel like I learned so much from my previous situation that I kind of carried it over trying to turn over a new leaf…”
Okay.
“(
…(I’ve tried) to handle things a lot different than I did before. I played with a lot of quarterbacks. I played on one team for a long time and having to adjust, and kind of applied all those things that I learned in my past situation to this current one.”
Hmm…
That’s about as vague as it is confusing. Is he taking responsibility for his actions on social media during his tenure here? Or is he saying that he came from Minnesota/a bad place, and has thus learned how to handle success?
Diggs elaborated on his loyalty to his new quarterback, Josh Allen, by saying:
“I always trying to take the blame because I don’t think he can do no wrong. For me I’m just always trying to be there for him,” Diggs said. “Apply those old things that I learned into my new situation to make me a better person and a better player.”
Okay.
It does sound like he’s taken some responsibility but it’s also hard to see why he wouldn’t be equally loyal to Cousins. Yeah, Cousins had a rough first quarter of last season, but he also delivered over 100 balls to Diggs in 2018 and helped Diggs become the best deep threat in the NFL in 2019 after that rough start.
Some Bills writers are bending over backward to explain away the Diva/traitor label that Diggs created HIMSELF by saying stuff like:
“How could you ever ask for more from a player? Production, responsibility and being a great teammate. That trade looks better every day for the Bills as this season progresses.”
I’ll just say to those guys… That’s Diggs NOW. You’ll be singing a different tune when he isn’t happy and starts doing “Diggs being Diggs” type stuff on social media.
Either way, I’m glad or at least indifferent that Bills fans are happy because we here in Minnesota have upgraded at the position by landing Justin Jefferson. He’s got tools Diggs doesn’t, has yet to miss time, and doesn’t have some weird rivalry with Adam Thielen.
So, I guess I don’t care why Diggs was mad because he’s Buffalo’s inevitable problem now.
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Hahahaha. Vikings fans let it go! He's not on your team anymore. Can't believe you wrote this article, re-read it, and decided it was worthy of posting! JA is way better than Kirk and only getting better. Move on
Okay, I came after this author for a too-early negative take on Justin Jefferson but now, to eb fair, I must defend and commend this article. Let's be honest: we are all interested in how Diggs does with the Bills and why he acted so strangely in Minnesota. So it addresses people's interest which is what a writer should do. I do wish Diggs well and certainly the Bills, too. However, make no mistake, Diggs was the problem here. Proof? He was complaining on the sidelines last year when the Vikings were well ahead of the Saints. Why? Not enough glory for himself. He was not a #1 here or the #1 WR here. He was, at best, a co-#1 but Thielen over-performed him every year he hasn't been injured. For Diggs it was all about the ego. A great player but not a team player. The fact he says he turned a new leaf shows you he was the issue and maybe portends well for the future for the Bills. T trade was good for the Bills and great for the Vikings. With potential and cheap salary Justin Jefferson is an upgrade, plus those other picks inclusing #4 next year, + addition by subtraction. This is a rare trade that was a win for both parties. No reason for Bills fans to be sour or to go on the attack that the Vikings are still interested in what derailed Diggs and how well this trade it turning out. Good article, Mr. Johnson, not just the subject, but the writing style as well. Diggs is still skirting aroudn specifics. I don't think he's changed that much but we'll see.
Wow. Thank you for saying this! I remember our post draft JJ convo (I was so WRONG and will spend years atoning and calling attention to my bad take as I don’t think our industry has enough accountability), so, thanks for defending me and the piece and for continuing to check out the site!
I still can't get over how many articles/stories from Minnesota I've seen like this. It's incredible. It's like a jealous ex lover that can't admit that it's over and it worked out for both parties. GET OVER IT! WHY IS EVERYONE IN MINNESOTA SO OBSESSED WITH STEFON DIGGS?! And for the record JA is ALREADY better and more explosive than Cousins could ever hope to be. As for Jefferson being better than Diggs? C'mon, you have no idea and neither do I as to whether he will ever hold a candle to Diggs. You're jumping the gun. AGAIN GET OVER IT, MOVE ON.
For real man straight up!! Real facts bro!!
Your username says it all
Let this Diggs crap die already. As a viking fan I'm satisfied with who we have, We have justin Jefferson and Adam thelen with THE bEST RB in the game. We good over here. #SKOL
Diggs has matured and grown up! We gave up mad draft picks cuz hes worth it!! So minn get over it and move on you got a great deal!! Stop being hatters!!! Bills Mafia BAAAAABYYYYYY!!!! PATS SUCK!!!!
Because humans mature in their late 20’s.... you’ll see
You got rejected. It happens. Stop obsessing and stalking your ex. Move on, it's getting really pathetic. All your friends are worried about you.
I love how Minnesota thinks Diggs is a problem.
He is a problem however for opposing defenses.
League leader in yrds and catches but the writer seems to think Jefferson
Is the better of the two.
Seems to me as a Bill's fan it's time for Minnesota to accept the divorce and stop trying to belittle the league leader!
This is a really weak and honestly pretty whiny take.
You got amazing production out of a FIFTH ROUNDER then went on to scapegoat that player. Be grateful for it and stop doing this lame ish.
Cousins is not even remotely an elite QB. Diggs is not even remotely the first WR to have an issue with him. You all paid the wrong guy obscene money. Stop looking to blame anybody else for that. Be happy for the guy you took for granted and scapegoated after stealing him in the fifth round. This is petty and just a really bad look for you.
You got plenty for him and aren't paying him anymore. Get over it already.
Scapegoat? What? I never blamed him for anything except his own behavior.
Never bite the hand that feeds you!
"I guess I don't care why Diggs was mad..." Let me write an article about why I think Diggs was mad. This article is overseas ones, lay of off on the salt... Diggs was your star to lose. Buffalo didn't steal him off your roster. I thought the Vikings fans were happy with their pickup of Justin Jefferson and the rest of the draft picks the Bills traded away. I guess I don't care though.
Go back to grammar school. You don't know the first thing about putting sentences together.
Yet I get paid to write! I write how I talk, it’s sort of my thing. Run on sentences, sure, but it conveys what I’m going for and that’s why I do it.