When the New England Patriots signed Stefon Diggs to a three-year, $69 million contract in March, some risk factors were also in play. To start with, the WR was coming off a torn right ACL he suffered midway through the 2024 season in Houston. Also, at 31, no one knew if he could still produce as a true No. 1 option.
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And, off the playing field, his offseason yacht videos with Cardi B led to drug abuse rumors about the WR. It truly felt like Diggs’ tenure in New England was a disaster in the making.
However, four games into the 2025 season, Diggs is slowly casting aside those doubts. Against the Carolina Panthers in Week 4, Diggs crossed the 100-yard receiving mark (6 catches, 101 yards) for the first time in nearly two years. He also leads the Patriots with 19 receptions for 213 yards, reminding the league that he was one of the most productive receivers of the past decade.
But for Diggs’ teammate and quarterback Drake Maye, who’s still settling into his role with the team, the WR’s resurgence has been about more than just box-score numbers. He credited offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels with unlocking a different version of the veteran wideout.
“First and foremost, it’s the energy [Diggs] brings. He’s talking to the huddle before games, talking to the team in the locker room. He just brings great juice and a respect for what he’s done in this league and in big games,” Maye said on NBC Boston.
According to Maye, McDaniels’ decision to expand Diggs’ role has helped the WR evolve: “He’s probably getting moved around more than he’s ever had in his career,” the QB explained.
“I know in the past he’s been in the position where he’s backside, playing X, and you give him the ball and let him win a one-on-one. Coach McDaniels has kind of challenged him to move… play in the slot, play outside, play all the different positions. He’s starting to get more comfortable learning the offense, learning the concepts, and it’s only gonna help us grow more throughout the season,” added Maye.
The quarterback even admitted he’s missed Diggs on a few looks already, believing the veteran could have had “more yards” if not for those miscues. That’s a sign of the Maye’s trust in just how reliable his top target has become.
Diggs, for his part, has embraced the grind, describing the Panthers game as a “turn the corner” day. The WR insisted that he wants to “scrape the plate” by maximizing every opportunity.
It clearly looks like the questions that once surrounded Diggs’ contract and health are fading fast. Between McDaniels’ creativity, Maye’s growing chemistry, and Diggs’ own determination, the Patriots may have found the formula to bring the best out of a receiver many doubted could still deliver.
The only thing HC Mike Vrabel would now be hoping for is to see the positives translate into consistent success.
