a statue honoring Bills quarterback Josh Allen at the team’s new Highmark Stadium have sparked unexpected controversy inside the locker room — with one of Allen’s own teammates speaking out against the idea.
Wide receiver Stefon Diggs — known for his close but sometimes fiery relationship with Allen — surprised fans and reporters Tuesday when he called the statue plan “premature” and “disrespectful to the guys who built the foundation.”
“Look, I love Josh. He’s the best quarterback in Bills history if you ask me. But a statue? Already? Man, we haven’t even won the big one yet,” Diggs told reporters after practice. “There’s a lot of Bills legends — Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed, Bruce Smith, Jim Kelly — who carried this city on their backs for decades. Let’s get the priorities straight.”
The new $1.5 billion Highmark Stadium, set to open for the 2026 season, has been a point of pride for the franchise and its fans. Plans for a large sculpture plaza near the main entrance leaked last week, with early renderings suggesting a massive bronze statue of Allen mid-throw.
While many fans praised the idea on social media, some veteran players and alumni have quietly questioned it. Diggs is the first current player to speak publicly.
“We’re still writing the story,” Diggs added. “Let’s win a Super Bowl first — then build all the statues you want.”
Allen, who was not available for comment Tuesday, has previously brushed off talks of a statue, telling a Buffalo radio station last fall that “I’d rather have a Lombardi than a likeness of myself.”
Head coach Sean McDermott downplayed any tension, telling reporters he welcomes “passion and perspective” from his players.
“I get where Stef’s coming from,” McDermott said. “He’s a competitor. They all want to cement their legacy on the field, not in bronze.”
Bills fans remain divided. Many flooded Diggs’ Instagram with supportive comments, while others accused him of throwing shade at his quarterback.
The team’s ownership has yet to confirm whether the statue plan is official. For now, the debate only adds more fuel to the Bills’ high expectations for the 2025 season — one many hope finally ends with a championship worthy of statues for all involved.
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