Alaina GetzenbergESPNO Oct 11, 2023, 5:42pm ET4 minutes read
Josh Allen: “I’m sick of hearing all this nonsense about Stefon Diggs.”
Bills QB Josh Allen explains the reasons for Stefon Diggs’ sideline outburst and defends his WR’s competitive nature.
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen said he’s “tired of hearing all this nonsense from people” about teammate Stefon Diggs’ feelings after a clip of the receiver holding a tablet on the sideline throws, went viral.
The televised incident occurred with 5:40 left in the third quarter of Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Diggs sat down on the bench and slammed the tablet on the floor before throwing it to the ground as he stood up.
“He’s a competitor; he is a fierce competitor. I’m tired of hearing all this nonsense from people,” Allen said. “There are a lot of guys in the league that have that same fire that isn’t talked about. He gives us a lot of strength on the sideline and makes sure the offense stays on the ball and has as much energy as possible, and that’s what we feed off of.”
Allen said Wednesday that Diggs was mad at himself the moment he slammed the tablet for executing an incorrect release on a route.
“He’s captain for a reason,” Allen said. “If you look at the guys on the sideline talking and making sure everyone is ready, for better or for worse, he gets right in the guys’ faces and makes sure we have as much juice as we can we need – and he provides.” Our attack, especially in times when we need it. He doesn’t get the burden he deserves there. To be honest, it kind of annoys me when people want to say something about him, but we keep it internal here.”
The frustration arose amid the Bills’ second-worst scoring performance of the season (20 points) and the offense that ended after halftime with consecutive drives that ended in punts, including the drive just before the clip aired that resulted in a 48 -yard pass started to Diggs, but ended three plays later with no more yards gained.
Diggs said after Sunday’s game that a “lack of sense of urgency” was evident.
“You work hard in practice and the carryover is supposed to be, OK, now you’re having fun,” Diggs said after the game. “… We kind of just weren’t like, you know, ‘Let’s get it, let’s get it over with,’ you know what I mean? We tried to find out. But that lack of sense of urgency, that showed up, and then we get into the mode where we’re not necessarily rushing, but more like, ‘Okay, we’ve got a score,’ you saw that.”
He has drawn attention in the past for adverse reactions during games, including during a loss to the Bengals in last season’s playoffs. He described himself as someone who “plays with a lot of heart” and emphasized how important winning is to him.
Coaches and teammates, including Allen and coach Sean McDermott, have emphasized that Diggs’ passion is what makes him who he is and why he is so successful.
“I try to be there for my guys, give them positive energy and give them a boost,” Diggs said Sunday, taking the field between the third and fourth quarters to encourage the defense. “You never know, a few extra claps, a few extra screams, anything can happen.”
The Bills’ offense ranks third in points scored per game (30.4), while Allen continues to lead the league in completion percentage (73.1%). Diggs ranks sixth in receiving yards (520), has the most receiving yards (5) and has more than 100 receiving yards in three of four games.
The Bills host the New York Giants on Sunday night.