What Buffalo Bills' Stefon Diggs Trade Means for New England Patriots

The Buffalo Bills continued to reset their roster, trading away WR1 Stefon Diggs, but did the New England Patriots' chances at a division title improve as a result?

Oct 22, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) crosses / Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

The reigning AFC East champion Buffalo Bills made a stunning trade on Wednesday, but it likely doesn't bring the New England Patriots, who are coming off a 4-13 season, any closer to contention.

The Bills shipped starting receiver Stefon Diggs to the Houston Texans for a 2025 second-round draft pick in return, cutting ties with the man who has been their WR1 for the past four seasons. Diggs was targeted on no fewer than 154 pass plays each of the last four years.

Oct 22, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) crosses / Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

On the surface, Buffalo appears to fall further back toward the pack during an offseason that began with the release of veterans Tre'Davious White, Jordan Poyer and Mitch Morse. Still, the Bills will return eight starters on each side of the ball in 2024 while Diggs, who is set to turn 31 years old, showed signs he may be heading for decline.

In reality, Buffalo's offense goes as quarterback Josh Allen goes. The three-time NFL MVP finalist led the NFL in total yards and total touchdowns in 2023 despite Diggs not recording more than 87 yards receiving in any game after Week 6. In the 2021 AFC Wildcard win over New England, the Bills tallied touchdowns on all seven of their offensive possessions without Diggs contributing to the scoring frenzy.

Still, it should come as some sort of relief for the Patriots, who no longer have to face Diggs twice per season. Prior to a Week 17 dud (4 receptions, 26 yards, 7 targets), Diggs had scored a touchdown in four consecutive contests against the Patriots in the regular season. He feasted on Monday Night Football in 2020, victimizing New England and JC Jackson for 145 yards and three touchdowns as part of Buffalo's 38-9 win.

The Bills lost a key offensive piece on Wednesday, but they remain the betting favorite to win the AFC East. Even without having to worry about defending Diggs anymore, the Patriots have ways to go.