Butanmok: Stefon Diggs, Bills players react to Giants hiring Brian Daboll

Following an unbelievable 2020 season, it seemed as though Brian Daboll would get hired somewhere as a head coach.

That never came to fruition which allowed him to return to the Buffalo Bills in 2021. Buffalo’s offense picked up where it left off with Daboll and quarterback Josh Allen putting together another impressive run. Following his second strong campaign in the regular season, Daboll was expected to be a hot name on the head coaching market. In the playoffs, Daboll left no doubt that he was ready to become a head coach.

Against the New England Patriots, the Bills scored touchdowns on seven consecutive drives on their way to a 47-17 blowout victory. Daboll and the offense followed up on that performance last week against the Kansas City Chiefs putting up 36 points on offense.

During the Bills’ run, Daboll become the No. 1 target of the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins with the former hiring the Bills’ former offensive coordinator as their new head coach.

After the move was announced, several Bills reacted on social media.

Stefon Diggs

NYUP’s Matt Parrino shared the emojis Stefon Diggs used an Instagram story to share his thoughts on Daboll joining the Giants.

Stefon Diggs had two of the best seasons of his career with Daboll serving as his offensive coordinator.

Diggs had joked after the 2020 season that he wouldn’t give too good of a pitch for Daboll as he didn’t want to lose the offensive coordinator.

“He handles everything the right way,” said Diggs. “He comes at you from all angles, not just as a player as a coach, but a guy that understands the game, and he’s a professional,” Diggs said. “He’s serious about it and he’s passionate. I love playing for him. So that’s why I don’t want to give you too good of a pitch.”

Dawson Knox

In an Instagram story, Dawson Knox wrote, “Very much deserved. Congrats Dabes!!!”

Daboll and the Bills’ coaching staff remained patient with Dawson Knox early in his career. He rewarded that patience off with a career year in 2021 that saw him record a 49-587-9 stat line.

Isaiah McKenzie, Marquez Stevenson

Two of Buffalo’s wide receivers commented on the news in the comments on the Bills’ Instagram post congratuling Daboll on his new gig.

McKenzie simply wrote, “LOVE YOU” along with a crying face emoji and heart.

Stevenson added, “Stand up guy.”

Few players have a closer relationship to Daboll than McKenzie. The free agent to be told Matt Parrino about the bond they formed when McKenzie first arrived to Buffalo.

“We’d eat barbecue and the sun’s out and we’re outside having fun, he’d have his shirt off - and that’s a sight to see,” McKenzie said laughing. “He’s like, ‘You eat whatever you want and you can come over whenever you want.’ I didn’t know him that well or that he was that cool of a coach, inviting us over and stuff. I was just getting to know him. But as time went on and I kept going over there and eating food and he would take me in like a son. … He was my coach, but he treated me like a son and I appreciate him for that.”

Quintin Morris

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