Patriots Make Bold Move to Support Drake Maye with Stefon Diggs Signing
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots have been under the microscope this offseason, with many questioning whether they were doing enough to support their young quarterback, Drake Maye. Up until now, the answer seemed to be a resounding “no.” But all of that changed in a big way on Tuesday night.
The Patriots made headlines by agreeing to terms with veteran receiver Stefon Diggs on a three-year, $69 million contract, with $26 million guaranteed. This move is a clear signal that the Patriots are committed to giving Maye, their second-year franchise quarterback, the tools he needs to succeed. Diggs brings to the table what Maye lacked last season: a No. 1-caliber pass catcher with elite route-running ability.
Now, let’s not sugarcoat it. Diggs, at 31, is not the player he once was, especially as he works to return from a torn ACL in his right knee suffered on October 27. However, he is still a formidable competitor and a worthy risk for the Patriots to take. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Diggs’ rehab is on track, and he is expected to be ready for Week 1.
To put things into perspective, Patriots receivers ranked 28th in the NFL last season with 161 catches and 10 touchdowns. They were dead last with 1,723 receiving yards and 78 first downs, tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Up until this point in the offseason, their only addition to the receiving corps was Mack Hollins, signed to a two-year, $8.4 million deal. While Hollins, standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 221 pounds, can certainly help, the Patriots needed to make a bolder move to truly elevate their offense and maximize Maye’s potential on his rookie contract, especially with Josh McDaniels returning as offensive coordinator.
This signing of Diggs does just that. Before his injury cut his 2024 season short, Diggs had a streak of six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. The Patriots haven’t had a 1,000-yard receiver since Julian Edelman in 2019. If anyone knows how dangerous Diggs can be, it’s the Patriots. As a former member of the AFC East rival Buffalo Bills, Diggs has recorded 61 catches against New England, tied for his most against any opponent, along with 779 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns, his second most against any opponent.
The reaction from Patriots players on social media, including cornerback Christian Gonzalez and veteran receiver Kendrick Bourne, speaks volumes about the respect Diggs commands. In Houston last season, quarterback C.J. Stroud praised Diggs, saying, “He’s been nothing but just amazing to this team and to his teammates. He’s helped me out a ton.” Stroud had even expressed hope in January that Diggs might return to the Texans in 2025.
The development of the Maye-Diggs combination will be one of the most compelling storylines for the Patriots this season. The two players started following each other on Instagram this week, providing a public glimpse of their steps to begin forming a bond. This pairing was weeks in the making.
- When the legal negotiating period of free agency began on March 10, the Patriots were offering big money to receiver Chris Godwin, who ultimately chose to return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for less.
- The Patriots considered trading for DK Metcalf, who ended up going to the Steelers.
- They passed on trading for veteran Cooper Kupp, who later signed with the Seattle Seahawks.
- Other high-end options like Amari Cooper and Keenan Allen were also dwindling.
In the end, Diggs and the Patriots seem like a perfect match. Diggs gets a lucrative contract that might not have been available from another team due to his injury, while the Patriots address a glaring need with the financial resources to do so.
Of course, there is still work to be done. The left side of the offensive line remains a concern and will likely be addressed in the draft. However, this move has the potential to be a game-changer in New England, with Maye standing to benefit the most.
Originally Written by: Mike Reiss
