One of the keys to Buffalo's offense isn't going anywhere. The Bills signed wide receiver Stefon Diggs to a four-year contract extension on Thursday afternoon.
"I'm so excited for him and so happy for him because he deserves that," former Bills WR Emmanuel Sanders said on Good Morning Football. "The year that he had last year and the year that he had the previous year, it feels good when guys get paid what they deserve, and he definitely deserves it."
The wide receiver is QB Josh Allen's right-hand man and has played a huge role in helping the Bills become a consistent playoff team. In just two seasons, the duo has linked up for 230 completions (1st in NFL over last 2 seasons), 2,760 receiving yards (2nd in the NFL) and 18 touchdowns (3rd in NFL).
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In 2020, Diggs became the first player in Bills history to lead the NFL in receptions (127) and receiving yards (1,535). Last season, Diggs produced again by catching 103 passes for 1,225 receiving yards and scoring 10 touchdowns (career-high).
Diggs has done way more than just prove his on-field value over the last two years. He's also shown how vital his character and presence are in the locker room and to the overall team culture.
"They look at him as one of the best guys in the locker room and a leader in that way," NBC Sports NFL analyst Chris Simms said on PFT. "Awesome for them. He's an awesome football player who can do everything within their system. I love that Buffalo did this. To give them a future and security there and to reward Stefon Diggs, no question he's a special football player."
The Bills have big goals, and they know just how tough it'll be to accomplish them without a player like Diggs. The Maryland product set the NFL record for receptions in a player's first two seasons with a team by recording a combined 230 catches in 2020 and 2021. The two-time Pro Bowler is also the first Bill to have consecutive seasons with more than 1,000 yards and 100 catches since Stevie Johnson did it from 2010 to 2012.
Diggs has played in 103 games and started in 95. The eight-year vet has racked up 595 catches, 7,383 receiving yards and 48 touchdowns since coming into the NFL as a fifth-round pick in 2015.
Many national analysts believe Buffalo's moves over the last month signal that they're ready to compete for a Super Bowl.
"The Bills aren't here to show up and play in the AFC championship game," NFL Network’s Peter Schrager said on GMFB. "The Bills are here to win it all. They've got the best quarterback in the league. They've got maybe the best defensive signing in Von Miller. And now they've got who they think is the best combo in Josh Allen to Stefon Diggs and they're all locked up under contract for the next several years. It's hard not to be really excited as a Bills fan."
