Stefon Diggs Signs with the Patriots

Keegan McLeod

Staff Writer

Drake Maye just got himself a new toy. The Patriots announced the signing of Stefon Diggs to a 3-year contract worth $69 million on March 28^th. Diggs is 31 with 10 years of NFL experience, and will add veteran leadership and talent to a group of mostly unproven receivers in New England.

After being drafted to the Minnesota Vikings in 2015 and having five productive seasons there, Diggs took his game to a new level when he got traded to the Buffalo Bills in 2020 and making the Pro Bowl in each of the four seasons of his stay. He was traded to the Texans last offseason, and unfortunately, had his season end early with an ACL tear in the eighth game.

Before the injury, he was having a productive season in Houston with 500 total yards and 4 touchdowns in 8 games. He put up these numbers while sharing targets with Nico Collins and Tank Dell. Also on the bright side, Diggs has an otherwise clean history of major injuries, especially for someone who has played for 10 seasons. Still though, being a 31-year old player coming off an ACL tear brings major concern for his future production and health.

Even if Diggs is half the player he was a few years ago, his veteran presence alone should prove to be valuable to Drake Maye and the rest of the offense as they try to build an identity with a new coordinator and head coach. Before things turned sour in Buffalo, Diggs played a critical role in helping Josh Allen develop into the player he is now. He is a player known for his route-running ability, which is a skill young wide receivers could improve on by watching and practicing with him.

Even though as a Bills fan, I hope I am wrong, this was a great signing for the Patriots. Sure, he comes with an attitude, but that is what this team needs right now as they try to improve on their 4-13 campaign in 2024. I would not expect a ton of production from him this upcoming season coming off the injury, but he still has 2 years left on the contract after that.

In the best-case scenario, the Patriots will have a true number one receiver for a couple seasons on a reasonable contract while he helps develop a young quarterback and new offense. At worst, he will make a fuss about not getting enough targets and hurt team development by creating tension in the locker room. Something in the middle is more likely, but the intangibles he brings are enough to sway me to believe that he will be a net positive.