Payments attain extension with defensive centerpiece, however Stefon Diggs drama looms

The Buffalo Payments signed defensive deal with Ed Oliver to an extension, however all eyes stay on Stefon Diggs. 

The Buffalo Bills have begun OTAs with out star receiver Stefon Diggs, who infamously stormed out of the locker room and the stadium following Buffalo’s 27-10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals within the playoffs.

That mentioned, the Diggs drama was briefly pushed apart on Saturday when it was introduced that the crew and DT Ed Oliver agreed to a four-year, $68 million extension with $45 million in assured cash. Oliver is now beneath contract with Buffalo for the subsequent 5 years.

The ninth total decide within the 2019 NFL Draft, Oliver registered 20 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 9 tackles for a loss in 13 video games performed final season.

Buffalo Payments re-up Ed Oliver, however now should resolve Stefon Diggs’ future

The Payments’ protection is an underrated a part of the crew’s success, however most opposing recreation plans begin with the Josh Allen-Stefon Diggs connection on offense. Diggs is on the shortlist of prime NFL receivers: he totaled 1,429 yards via the air and reached pay dust 11 occasions in 2022, his third go-around with Buffalo.

Now the Payments have to verify the connection is reconciled. Diggs is beneath contract via 2027, however there are avenues to get out of it earlier than 2025. There have additionally been trade rumors aplenty following Diggs’ blustering exit from Highmark Stadium in January.

Bills insider Jay Skurski from the Buffalo News not too long ago mentioned followers needs to be “mildly” involved by Diggs’ absence from OTAs. He skipped the voluntary exercises final yr and he might be pulling an identical routine this season, nevertheless it’s clear Diggs’ fame has modified following the occasions in January and till he reveals up and reveals out, the doubts about his future won’t subside.

So as to add gasoline to the hearth, Diggs has been firing off some cryptic tweets these days. I’d warning anybody towards studying too deeply right into a participant’s social media output, however Diggs tweeting up a storm whereas questions swirl round his determination to skip OTAs isn’t one of the best from an optics perspective.

Optics don’t actually matter if Diggs reveals up for coaching camp and goes on to have one other Professional Bowl season, as he’s greater than able to doing. The Payments nonetheless profile as a prime contender within the AFC and one has to think about Josh Allen is keen to place apart no matter battle could have bubbled up through the Bengals recreation.