FOXBOROUGH – Stefon Diggs was at home in Buffalo for four seasons.
The veteran receiver returns this weekend when the Patriots take on the Bills in the Sunday night matchup. This marks Diggs’ first time back since being traded out of Buffalo. Although things didn’t end on a high note, the Pro Bowler said it’ll be an emotional return when he steps inside Highmark Stadium.
“To me, it’s obviously a little sentimental,” Diggs said. “I spent a lot of time there. I’m real familiar with their staff. Familiar with the guys there. The guys that I did maintain a relationship, I look forward to seeing them. It’s going to be a little bit emotional. I’ll try to keep the main thing the main thing, but it’s my first time back there. It’s going to be a hell of an atmosphere.”
After playing in Minnesota for five seasons, Diggs was traded to the Bills during the 2020 offseason for three draft picks. The new start in Buffalo marked a new chapter where Diggs turned into one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. In 2020, Diggs led the NFL in receptions (127) and receiving yards (1,535). He earned First-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors that first season with the Bills.
In four years with the Bills, Diggs finished with over 1,000 yards every season and earned four Pro Bowls and two All-Pro honors.
Diggs’ time in Buffalo ended in 2024 when the Bills traded him to the Houston Texans. When asked about his departure and if he wanted to be traded, the receiver only said that it was difficult for him.
“It’s the nature of the business, I guess,” Diggs said. “Obviously, it was hard for me. It was a difficult time. I spent a lot of time there, built a lot of bonds, a lot of friendships. It’s going to be emotional. I look forward to going back, seeing those guys. It’s just the nature of the business. I’m not in control. I get open. I catch the ball.
“As far as the internal stuff, obviously, I miss those guys over there. You spend a lot of time with people, it becomes more personal than professional. When I say it’s the nature of the business, that’s just how it goes.”
Diggs now returns to Buffalo after playing his best game of the season in New England. Last week, he caught six of seven targets for 101 yards in the Patriots’ blowout win over Carolina.
“You get excited, but try not to get overzealous,” Diggs said. “It is another game, but it’s a division game more importantly. All the things that play a role outside of that, me being there before, people are going to make that a huge thing, and it is a huge thing for me. I’ve got a lot of respect and a lot of love for that fan base and players over there.
“… I told them near and dear to my heart. Football means a lot to me. And the guys I spent a lot of time with over there, I’m going to give them a big hug.”