“They’ll Tolerate You Until They Can Replace You”: Shannon Sharpe Unsurprised as Bills Trade Stefon Diggs to Texans

Stefon Diggs, the star Buffalo Bills wideout, has become the center of the offseason’s trade whirlwind. However, as the offseason started, rumors were suggesting his discontent within the team. Adding layers to the speculation, Diggs’ recent activity on social media only fueled the fire of conjecture. He posted cryptic messages such as a simple heart emoji or phrases like “Ready for whatever” and “God I trust you”.

And then the inevitable happened. The Bills traded him to the Houston Texans. Shannon Sharpe, on the latest episode of Nightcap, said that Stefon Diggs should have known that he had it coming.

Shannon Sharpe thinks most NFL players are expendable

Sharpe revealed the ruthless way in which the NFL works. “They’ll tolerate you till they can replace you,” he told his co-host Ocho. He had actually predicted this almost two weeks in advance. This was an iteration of the statement he had made when he appeared as a guest on First Take in March. “I think the Bills are like myself, tired of all these cryptic tweets. Stefon Diggs is gonna be one of these guys. The Buffalo Bills are going to tolerate him until they can replace him, and he’s on borrowed time, because it’s always something with him.”

But why did the Bills eventually tire of him? The catalyst for the Bills’ decision appeared rooted in a series of turbulent episodes, punctuated by a notable incident following a playoff defeat to the Bengals in 2023. The tension was palpable as Stefon Diggs, in a highly emotional state, visibly clashed with teammates and coaching staff, culminating in his abrupt exit from the locker room even before the team could regroup for a post-game debrief.

And then again, in the Divisional Round in the 2023 season, there were a couple of crucial missteps by Stefon Diggs — a fumble and a dropped pass at pivotal moments. So, now with Diggs gone, who could the Bills sign to fill in their wideout gap?

Three replacements for Stefon Diggs

At 25, Tee Higgins has carved a niche for himself as one of the premier young talents. Despite sharing the limelight with the stellar Ja’Marr Chase at the Bengals, in the 2023 season, he had raked in 656 yards, which is third in the franchise. However, with the Bengals’ financial strategy geared towards securing Chase, Higgins, despite being franchise-tagged, might find himself on the trading block. A potential trade to the Bills could not only infuse youth into their lineup, but potentially elevate their receiving corps to new heights.

The seasoned OBJ, currently a free agent, could be another option. His career, however, has been hampered by injuries in recent years, diminishing his once-explosive playmaking prowess. Yet, OBJ’s experience and knack for on-field reliability (second most receptions in 2023 among the Ravens) could offer Josh Allen a dependable target, complementing emerging talents like Khalil Shakir and Dalton Kincaid. A strategic one-year deal could serve as a transitional phase, paving the way for younger talents to rise in the ranks.

However, if they want to infuse new blood, they could look at drafting Rome Odunze. According to Pro Football Focus, he is the third-best receiver in the Draft Class of 2024. As the Bills hold the 28th pick, it’s likely that the top two receivers would be gone by the time the Bills get their chance. So, Odunze could be their best bet at filling in the void left by Diggs.

Read More: Bills Trade All-Pro WR Stefon Diggs to the Texans, CJ Stroud Finally Gets a True No.1 WR