Diggs 'Wants Out' of Buffalo, Claims Stephen A. Smith; Dirty Trick via 'Sources'?

Stephen A. Smith thinks that Stefon Diggs has an exit plan to get away from Josh Allen and the Bills. "This brother wants out!'' screams the ESPN shock jock, citing "sources.''

Stefon Diggs, just a few days ago, acknowledged his offseason conflict with the Buffalo Bills coaching staff but also, when asked about being a Bill for Life, replied, "100 percent, sir!''

Days later ... has something changed? What Diggs fibbing? Does "100 percent'' not mean "100 percent''?

"This brother,'' screamed ESPN shock jock Stephen A. Smith on Monday's "First Take.'' wants out ... I'm just telling you what I know. I got my own sources. Brother didn't want to be in Buffalo anymore I'll tell you right now. I have my sources."

Stefon Diggs: "100%" still wants to retire with the #Bills

This is from less than a month ago. I don't think people should overreact to made up stories from a talking head who desperately has to sell content to keep people watching.

(🎥 @GregVorse)pic.twitter.com/o2NhvJkN1G

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 21, 2023

In the span of just a few seconds, Smith - who has no history of having Bills-related sources or any NFL-related insight at all - barked "I got my own sources,'' causing Bills fans (and plugged-in media) to ponder whether he doth protest too much.

Why not a straight-forward news report on what would be a major scoop? One logical explanation: Smith is actually practicing an old, dirty trick of yellow journalism here.

Diggs did indeed cause much speculation and consternation earlier this offseason when he missed practice time. But all indications are that his issues have been reconciled. From Josh Allen's brotherhood praise of Diggs to Damar Hamlin's appreciation of Diggs' leadership, there do not seem to be present cracks in this relationship armor. And yet ...

"He's lost a level of belief in the Buffalo Bills, that's right, I said it," Smith insisted. "He's not going to force his way out ... but he ain't feeling the Buffalo Bills the way he once did." 

What is Smith doing here? We can guarantee he doesn't comprehend the cap-related issues that make a trade unfeasible. We can assume he doesn't care that he's contradicting Diggs himself, essentially calling the Pro Bowl receiver a liar.

In addition to the transparent over-insistence of possessing "sources,'' here's where Smith may be exposing himself ...

"He don't want to be in Buffalo no more... Stefon Diggs [has] got to be there, but he would prefer to be gone because he's lost a level of belief in the Buffalo Bills."

—Stephen A. Smith

(via @FirstTake)pic.twitter.com/MG08Ke5ZUp

— NFL on ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsNFL) August 21, 2023

"Stefon Diggs, this brother ... clearly wasn't happy, walked out, didn't want to talk to nobody,'' Smith reported. "They came into training camp, they had some friction they had to get settled.''

What Smith is likely doing here - in addition to the awkward "this brother'' reference, which has no place in serious journalism - is relying on old information to spin a new yarn ... and Smith's butt will likely be covered with this "scoop.'' Diggs has a mercurial personality, no doubt. And if that personality ever surfaces again, with an emotional outburst after a loss?

Stephen A. Smith - playing a dirty game here - will be able to shriek "I told you so about the brother 'cuz I got sources!'' ... even though he likely does not.

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