FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Up to this point in the offseason, the New England Patriots hadn’t done enough to support quarterback Drake Maye.
That changed in a big way Tuesday night.
In agreeing with veteran receiver Stefon Diggs on a three-year, $69 million contract with $26 million guaranteed, the Patriots made a decisive move to give Maye, their second-year franchise quarterback, what he lacked last season — a No. 1-caliber pass catcher who wins with elite route-running ability.
Diggs, 31, might not be what he once was, as he works to return from a torn ACL in his right knee suffered Oct. 27. But he’s immediately the best the Patriots have, a competitor and a worthy risk for the team to take. Diggs’ rehab is on course, and he is expected to be ready for Week 1, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Consider that Patriots receivers ranked 28th in the NFL last season with 161 catches and 10 touchdowns and last with 1,723 receiving yards and 78 first downs (tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers).
And up to this point this offseason, their only addition to address the position was signing Mack Hollins to a two-year, $8.4 million deal. The 6-foot-4, 221-pound Hollins can help, but to truly give themselves a chance to elevate to the upper tier — and maximize what they have in Maye on his rookie contract and with Josh McDaniels returning as offensive coordinator — the Patriots needed to be bolder.
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This does it. Before the injury ended his 2024 season early, Diggs had a streak of six straight 1,000-yard seasons. The Patriots have not had a 1,000-yard receiver since Julian Edelman in 2019.
If anyone should know how dangerous Diggs, formerly a member of the AFC East rival Buffalo Bills, can be, it’s the Patriots. Diggs’ 61 catches against New England are tied for his most against any opponent in his career, while his 779 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns are his second most against any opponent.
The reaction of Patriots players on social media — such as cornerback Christian Gonzalez and veteran receiver Kendrick Bourne — spoke volumes of the respect he garners.
In Houston last season, quarterback C.J. Stroud raved about Diggs, saying: “He’s been nothing but just amazing to this team and to his teammates. He’s helped me out a ton.” In January, Stroud had expressed his hope that Diggs might return to the Texans in 2025.
How the Maye-Diggs combination grows together will be one of the Patriots’ more compelling storylines. When the two started following each other on Instagram this week, it provided a public glimpse of their steps to begin forming a bond.
The pairing was weeks in the making.
When the legal negotiating period of free agency began March 10, the Patriots were offering big money to receiver Chris Godwin, who took less to return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Patriots considered trading for DK Metcalf, who ended up going to the Steelers. Then they passed on trading for veteran Cooper Kupp, who later signed with the Seattle Seahawks. The higher-end options were dwindling (Amari Cooper, Keenan Allen, etc.).
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Diggs and the Patriots seem like a perfect match. Diggs gets a big-money contract that was unlikely to come from another team based on his return from injury. The Patriots had a glaring need and money to spend.
There is more to be done, for sure. The left side of the offensive line remains a concern and likely will be dealt with in the draft.
But this has potential to be a game changer in New England, with Maye the primary beneficiary.
