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Things are getting messy in Minnesota.
After the Vikings loss to the Bears last week, Diggs was apparently frustrated with the team’s lackluster offense.
Mike Zimmer on frustration within the team, including Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs: "They always get frustrated. I mean, everybody's frustrated right now. When you lose and you don't play well enough to win, everybody's frustrated. Wasn't just those two guys."
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) September 30, 2019
Diggs reportedly then skipped out on several team meetings and practice throughout the week without explanation.
Stefon Diggs' absence today at Vikings practice was "not injury related," the team reported. Diggs hasn't spoken with the media in two weeks and was visibly frustrated on the sideline in Sunday's loss to the Bears.
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) October 2, 2019
Via ESPN
Diggs missed all team meetings Monday and Tuesday as well as two practices, but he is expected to be active Sunday when the Vikings visit the New York Giants, according to sources.
When Diggs resurfaced he told the media that there was “truth to the rumors that he wanted to be traded.
https://twitter.com/CaseyBake16/status/1179795475307868160
The Vikings are playing hardball with Diggs now and have fined him $200k for his behavior.
Stefon Diggs is expected to play for @Vikings, but when he had unexcused absences from practices on Monday and Wednesday, and all mandatory meetings, he ran his fine total in excess of $200,000, per sources. Team stance: No trade despite inquiries.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) October 6, 2019
The team has been adamant that they will not trade Diggs but it seems like teams are continuing to reach out to see if it’s possible to convince them otherwise.
Despite the unexcused absences, the Vikings are not likely to trade Diggs before the Oct. 29 deadline, although they could revisit trade talks involving the star wide receiver during the offseason, according to league sources.
There are teams that believe, if given a strong enough offer, Minnesota could be persuaded otherwise, though they acknowledge it would take “an offer they can’t refuse.”
But the overwhelming chances are that a deal involving Diggs won’t be this season before the trade deadline, according to sources.
It seems like the Vikings are falling apart, might as well trade Diggs now before the ship completely sinks.