Michael Irvin Rips Bills; Stefon Diggs Fires Back at Cowboys 'Old Man'

Dallas Cowboys legend Michael Irvin understands leadership. And he is offering some unsolicited leadership advice to the Buffalo Bills: "Quit telling Josh Allen that he's 'dumb.'' too bad Stefon Diggs won't listen.

FRISCO - Michael Irvin, the Dallas Cowboys' Hall of Famer and centerpiece to three Super Bowl winners in the 1990's, is worth listening to when it comes to leadership. But Stefon Diggs will not hear of it.

Irvin is offering some unsolicited leadership advice to the Buffalo Bills: "Quit telling Josh Allen that he's 'dumb.''

Of course, that's not literally what Bills leaders are doing in the wake of a Week 1 22-16 OT loss to the New York Jets on "Monday Night Football'' in which Bills quarterback Allen was a slopfest, with four turnovers including three interceptions. ... and his postgame acceptance of the blame for all of it.

“STOP MESSING WITH THAT MAN CONFIDENCE!”

— @MichaelIrvin88 calls out Stefon Diggs & Bills HC Sean McDermott for their treatment of Josh Allen pic.twitter.com/dYmu60BC8E

— The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1) September 12, 2023

"Same (crap), different day,'' Allen said of his shortcomings. "It sucks when you feel like you are the reason and I am the reason we lost ...''

The defeat came at the hands of a division-rival Jets team that won even after four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers left his debut game early in the first quarter with a torn Achilles. (Rodgers is now out for the season.)

And Irvin has an issue with how All-Pro wide receiver Diggs and head coach Sean McDermott are managing the situation surrounding their franchise quarterback.

"Stop telling that man (to) 'Be smart!" Irvin said. "Because (by saying that), you're telling everyone else he's dumb. Stop doing that. Stop messing with his confidence."

Diggs' response? “I get it, but it was 40 years ago when you (Irvin) was running routes. I respect the OGs but I feel like, damn, some stuff is worth conversation and other stuff it’s like - 'All right, all right, all right old man.”

It is a bit of contrarian thinking, to be sure. But Irvin is not being a troll here. He's speaking from experience when it comes to football positivity. And he is strongly suggesting that the more a teacher urges a pupil to "get smart,'' the less smart the pupil ends up believing he is. And given the fact that the Allen problem (he had 14 interceptions last year) isn't going away?

Diggs and the Buffalo Bills owe it to themselves to avoid taking offense to "old man'' Irvin's advice ... and to instead actually consider taking that advice.