Stefon Diggs got his revenge on Sunday night, putting up a monster game against the Bills in a 23-20 Patriots win at Highmark Stadium against his former team.
It marked his first time back in Buffalo since he was traded in 2024, and Diggs delivered for the Patriots, pulling in 10 receptions for 146 yards to hand the Bills their first loss of the season.
Diiggs told NBC’s Melissa Stark afterward that his performance was “100 percent” personal.
“Obviously I love those guys, still got a good relationship with them, have a lot of respect for them. But I love the game of football more and every time I come out here I try to prove it, not only to them but to myself.”
His longest catch of the day came in the third quarter when Drake Maye completed a 32-yard throw to Diggs along the sideline to put the Patriots inside the five-yard line.
The win certainly seemed to mean a bit to Diggs, who was seen on an Instagram Live celebrating in the locker room.
“When it gets loud, it kind of gets quiet for me,” said Diggs, who now has back-to-back 100-yard games for the 3-2 Patriots. “It doesn’t bother me too much: They love you one day, they hate you the next, they can love you again. I spent a lot of time here. I respect the dynamic. Used to be here. I’m not here no more. I guess I miss you too.”
Diggs played four seasons with the Bills, recording 445 receptions for 5,372 yards and 37 touchdowns, and he acknowledged in an on-field interview before the game that the return was “Nostalgic.”
“It’s been a long time. Obviously, I’ve got a lot of love and respect for this team and fan base. I’m excited. I waited all week for it,” he said.
Diggs was traded to the Texans, but his time in Houston was short after suffering a season-ending ACL injury in Week 8 during the 2024 season.
He wound up signing with the Patriots on a $69 million deal for three years in March.
The wide receiver did receive some boos from the crowd when he exited the tunnel, but was happily greeted by former teammates in Buffalo.
Among the Bills personnel that came over to say hello to Diggs was head coach Sean McDermott, who hugged the former Buffalo wide receiver.