During a press appearance this week, Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott appeared to use language that referenced his bitterness with his former player, Stefon Diggs. The Bills traded Diggs to the Houston Texans, a potential AFC playoff contender.

The Buffalo Bills traded Stefon Diggs this offseason

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Bills receiver Stefon Diggs signals a first down after a catch.

Bills general manager Brandon Beane made it sound like the salary cap was part of the reason the team traded Diggs this offseason. While the Bills had money issues before free agency, there had been rumblings of discontent between Diggs and the team. 

Diggs had several outbursts toward players during and after games. A member of the Bills coaching staff asked Diggs to leave a practice last spring. Diggs was known for wanting his fair share of touches during games. Put simply, Diggs was viewed by many as a selfish player.

Sean McDermott likes his new “unselfish” team

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Aug 26, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott looks on before a game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports

Per Matthew Fairburn and Tim Graham of The Athletic, McDermott appeared to allude to Diggs during an answer he gave about the chemistry of the 2024 Bills:

McDermott was asked what he’s liked about the “synergy” from so many new faces.

“I’ve loved it,” McDermott replied.” Everyone’s focused, it seems. Although it is spring and sometimes guys have things going on outside of football this time of year, you respect that. But when they’ve been here they’ve been focused and working well together and really more of an unselfish approach I would say.”

Unselfish felt like an intentional word choice and one that could be a theme this version of the Bills harps on. The roster lost some star power when the Bills traded Diggs, but maybe that unselfish approach will help the Bills get more out of the offense as a whole. They at least have to be glad the focus is elsewhere during this minicamp.

Can the 2024 Bills stay unselfish?

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20. Stefon Diggs
Position: WR. Years: 2020-23
Achievements: Has had the greatest four-year run at the position in Bills history, and it really isn’t close. … Has been a Pro Bowler all four years, was a first-team All-Pro in 2020 and second-teamer in 2022. … On a team that had only one 100-catch season (Eric Moulds), he has done it all four years he’s been here, including a team-record 127 in 2020. … He’s already fourth in team history in catches (445), yards (5,372), and TDs (37) and is third in 100-yard games (21). … His 11 TDs in 2022 is tied for the single-season team record with Bill Brooks.

Diggs is living rent-free in McDermott’s head. However, his roster won’t have as much talent because of the dead cap space from Diggs’ contract that the Bills will eat this season. The Bills made the trade in the hopes of making the team better.