A video of Stefon Diggs went viral earlier this week, as the Patriots wide receiver was recorded flashing an “unidentified pink substance” (per ESPN’s Mike Reiss) while surrounded by women on a yacht. That pink substance has led to plenty of online speculation, and new head coach Mike Vrabel was forced to address the situation today.
“It’s something we’re aware of and obviously we want to make great decisions on and off the field,” Vrabel said (via Reiss). “… Any conversations that I’ve had with Stefon will remain between him and I and the club.”
Vrabel is sticking with his Belichickian upbringing and not revealing too much, but it is still notable that the head coach is already facing off-the-field questions about the headline-stealing receiver. The Patriots inked Diggs to a three-year, $69MM deal this offseason as the wideout continues to recover from his torn ACL.
While the veteran was spotted at a voluntary practice last week, he notably wasn’t in attendance for the start of New England’s OTAs. While an absence from voluntary practices isn’t problematic, this surely some increasing optic issues when taking into account the recent viral video. Vrabel acknowledged that he’s been in contact with Diggs this week, although the coach also admitted that he’s spoken with every player on his roster.
Patriots receivers finished the 2024 campaign last in the NFL with only 1,723 receiving yards. If Diggs is able to even return to his 2023 form (when he finished with 1,188 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns), that’d be a huge boon for the Patriots offense. Prior to suffering his season-ending injury in 2024, Diggs’ lone season in Houston saw him haul in 47 catches for 496 yards and three scores.
“The timelines, and the prognosis, we’re working hard to get him back and be ready to go. When he’s here, we’ll coach him and have him ready to go,” Vrabel said of his WR’s recovery.
While the Patriots lack top-end receiver talent, they do have some solid depth, and there should be plenty of competition for the spots this summer. Diggs is a shoo-in to make the squad, and Reiss believes free agent acquisition Mack Hollins, third-year slot receiver DeMario Douglas, and third-round rookie Kyle Williams are also safe. That means the likes of Kendrick Bourne, Kayshon Boutte, and 2024 draft picks Ja’Lynn Polk (second round) and Javon Baker (fourth round) are competing for the remaining spots on the roster.