Wide receiver Stefon Diggs made headlines earlier this offseason for a viral video, but it seems he hasn’t been a distraction for the New England Patriots since.
Diggs — who tore the ACL in his right knee in October 2024 — reported to OTAs for the first time last week. At minicamp on Monday, new Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel complimented the 31-year-old wideout.
“I mean, he’s tried to figure out where everything is and what his role is, making sure that as we add those situations — the third down, the no-huddle, the red zone — that he’s staying up on it,” the coach told the media. “He’s working hard in his rehab and when he can, there’s certain drills he can be out there and certain drills he won’t be. But I think he’s engaged and I like his energy.”
Vrabel’s comment should further dispel rumors that the Patriots would cut Diggs after the clip surfaced on social media. It showed him handing three women a pink powder at a party on a yacht.
On June 1, former Patriots QB Scott Zolak said the team may cut Diggs during his show with WBZ-FM in Boston. However, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport has reported they aren’t going to do that.
Now, the Patriots can concentrate on jump-starting their hapless offense, which finished last in the league in passing yards (176.1) last season.
Pin the blame on a lack of reliable targets for second-year quarterback Drake Maye. Last season, tight end Hunter Henry led the team in receiving yards, with 674 in 16 games.
To solve this issue, the Patriots signed Diggs to a three-year, $63.5M deal in free agency.
He has made four Pro Bowls and earned one first-team All-Pro nod in 10 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans. He also ranks seventh among active players in touchdown catches (70), via Pro Football Reference.
If Diggs stays focused for the rest of the offseason, he could become the game-changer the Patriots need.
