Bills' Josh Allen thanks departed Stefon Diggs for his hard work - ESPN

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Josh Allen said on Thursday that he can't thank Stefon Diggs enough for «for when he came in and how hard he worked and what he taught me along the years.»

Allen said that Diggs «meant a lot» to him since the Bills traded for the star wide receiver in 2020, while also noting multiple times how this now opens opportunities for other players to step up.

«It's definitely hard to part ways with a guy that's been very instrumental in our success here over the last four years,» Allen said. "… obviously, I wish we can keep everybody. You know, we've made a lot of changes this offseason, lost a lot of veteran leadership, Stef being one of them. I guess that's the nature of the business. And going into Year 7 now, it's just kind of is what it is. I don't get paid to make changes on the team. I get paid to be the best quarterback that I can be and try to lead the guys on this team."

Josh Allen's numbers drastically impoved after Stefon Diggs joined the Bills in 2020. His 137 passing touchdowns in that span trail only Patrick Mahomes (143).

Allen also said that his lasting memory of Diggs will «be the receiver that helped me become the quarterback that I am today, and I'll always thank him for that.»

The quarterback shared his first public comments on the Bills trading Diggs to the Houston Texans in a news conference Thursday after the team commenced offseason activities this week. Allen was aware from offseason conversations with general manager Brandon Beane that trading Diggs was a possibility before it took place on the morning of April 3.

Allen texted his former top target after the trade took place and got a text in return. Allen said he was «just thanking him for everything that he did for me and always