Stefon Diggs returned to Highmark Stadium wearing at Patriots uniform and carrying four years of memories.
Stefon Diggs was back in his old digs. But it wasn't home sweet home.
The former Bills star returned to Highmark Stadium on Sunday night wearing Patriots colors, and carrying four years of memories.
Diggs said it would be emotional.
It was.
"Nostalgic," Diggs told NBC sideline reporter Melissa Stark on the field prior to kickoff. "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."
Diggs, who signed a three-year, $63.5 million deal with the New England Patriots in March, was back under the bright lights of Sunday Night Football, the same stage where he once starred alongside Josh Allen.
Bills fans booed Diggs as he walked out of the tunnel and trotted onto the field. Diggs greeted several former teammates with hugs — including Josh Allen, Spencer Brown, Dion Dawkins and James Cook — before walking over to Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott for a long embrace.
Stefon Diggs visiting old pals pregame ❤️
— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2025
NEvsBUF on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/zaIkfGKOi7
'It’s going to be emotional'
Diggs acknowledged this week that returning to Buffalo would hit differently.
“People are going to make it a huge thing. It is a huge thing for me,” Diggs said. “I got a lot of respect and a lot of love for that city, that fan base and even the players over there. It’s going to be so nice to see those guys.
"It’s going to be a little bit emotional. I try to keep the main thing the main thing but it’s my first time back there. It’s going to be a hell of an atmosphere. I try to be as professional but obviously I hold them near and dear to my heart. Football means a lot to me, and the guys that I spent a lot of time with over there, I'm going to give them a big hug. It's going to be a little bit emotional. I try to keep the main thing the main thing but it's my first time back there. It's going to be a hell of an atmosphere."
Bills defenders agreed the emotion would run high.
“He’s going to be amped up,” defensive tackle Ed Oliver said.
“Stefon brings that fire. We know it’s going to be extra,” cornerback Tre’Davious White said.
Quarterback Josh Allen, Diggs’ former running mate, struck a measured tone.
"Played (Diggs) last year, so I don't think it's anything super crazy, Josh Allen said. "But obviously, being back in Buffalo, who knows if the emotions are going to be heightened for him, or for the fans."
Diggs comes out to boos pic.twitter.com/XNslGUZHZE
— Jenna Cottrell (@JennaCottrell) October 5, 2025
From Bills record-setter to rival
Allen and Diggs shared four seasons of record-breaking offense in Buffalo — 445 receptions, 5,372 yards and 37 touchdowns — before parting ways last spring. Allen said he still has “a lot of love” for his former teammate, even as Buffalo’s offense flourishes in its “everybody eats” era.
Diggs' tenure ended with tension — cryptic social media posts, and offseason absences — before the team traded him to Houston in April 2024, eating a $31 million dead cap hit to reset the locker room.
Diggs caught six passes for 82 yards in the Texans’ 23-20 win over Buffalo in Week 5 last year before tearing his ACL three weeks later.
He’s caught 19 passes for 213 yards through four games with the Patriots, his third team in three years.
Oh, it's personal
— Dom Tibbetts (@DomTibbettsTV) October 5, 2025
Stefon Diggs staring down his former team during pregame stretches 👀 #BillsMafiapic.twitter.com/oDDosJh9PT
A familiar face, a different interaction
This was Diggs’ first trip back to Orchard Park since the Bills traded him in 2024, ending one of the most productive runs in franchise history. It came nearly a year after no pregame handshake and his awkward postgame handshake with Josh Allen, a brief, tight exchange that went viral for its tension, silence and side-eye following the Texans' win over the Bills.
This time, the mood felt different.
"Obviously I miss those guys over there. When you spend a lot of time with people it becomes more personal rather than just professional," Diggs said this week. "That team has been good year in and year out. Great fan base, it's always played a key part. Coaching staff has always done a good job. They always had a sound defense and guys that made plays on offense. Things haven't changed, especially since I left."
#Patriots WR Stefon Diggs:
— Carlos A. Lopez (@LosTalksPats) October 6, 2025
“Lean on your brother, play for your brother! We all we got, we all we f***ing need! Play hard, play smart! Offense, let’s go be us! Defense, special teams — if it don’t got a blue jersey on, hit that s**t!”
(🎥 @Patriots)pic.twitter.com/NWAdx8qKD0
Stefon Diggs: I gotta love for that city, that fanbase, and even the players over there. pic.twitter.com/oL6nk92xSi
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) October 2, 2025
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Stefon Diggs gets booed, hugs Josh Allen in return to Buffalo
Category: General Sports
