Could the Chiefs Make a Move for a 32-Year-Old Former Buffalo Bills Star Receiver in 2026?
Among the crimson collective that is Chiefs Kingdom, it is an iconic image. The then Buffalo Bills wide receiver, Stefon Diggs, hands on his hips, looking on as Kansas City celebrates victory in the 2022 Divisional playoff that sent them to their fourth straight AFC Championship. The legendary ‘13 seconds’ game is considered one of the greatest postseason games ever played. With just 13 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Buffalo had the lead when Patrick Mahomes broke their hearts in less time than it takes to microwave a burrito. After completing a pass each to Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, Mahomes got the Chiefs into field goal range for Harrison Butker, who tied the game to send it into overtime. After KC won the coin toss, the future Hall of Fame quarterback completed six of six throws, marching the Chiefs down the field to win the game with a Kelce touchdown. Cue the red and gold confetti. Cue Diggs on the sideline in the agony of the moment. After a good season in New England last year with over a thousand yards receiving, the 32-year-old unrestricted free agent and former All-Pro still has some gas left in the tank, and if he can’t beat the Chiefs, he might be thinking he ought to join them.
During the 2025 season, not one Kansas City wideout had 600 yards receiving; the lynchpin, as always, was Kelce, who caught passes for over 800 yards. The receiving room may need a boost, and a veteran of Diggs’ caliber just might be what the Chiefs need to get them over the hump and into the playoffs in 2026. With a running back room bolstered by the signing of Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, the Chiefs' receiving corps should benefit mightily from opposing defenses taking the run game seriously. With Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy eager to prove themselves after underwhelming seasons, and a still-dangerous Kelce, the addition of the former Terrapin could send Kansas City’s offense over the top. The only First-Team All-Pro receiver in Buffalo Bills history might be feeling the pinch of Father Time, and figure Kansas City is the team that gives him the best shot at a Lombardi.
However, the fact that Kansas City didn’t select a receiver until the fifth round in this year’s draft with the selection of Cyrus Allen may indicate the team is willing to work with what they had last year. The first four picks in 2026 were all defensive prospects, an indication that stout defense, along with a consistent run game, will be Kansas City’s core strategy. With Rice avoiding suspension, a healthy Worthy, and an emerging Tyquan Thornton, who just signed a two-year deal for $11 million, General Manager Brett Veach may be confident in what he already has in the building. Not to mention a Diggs contract would command north of $10 million for a one-year deal, and the Chiefs would have to restructure some contracts to get under their current cap space of roughly $6.5 million. That’s a lot of maneuvering for a 32-year-old player who’s fresh off some off-the-field issues. This, along with the receivers KC already has in the building, makes it unlikely one of football’s most dangerous route-runners will create new memories at Arrowhead to take the sting out of those 13 seconds.
