The Patriots’ offseason signing is currently recovering from a torn ACL.
Unlike most of his teammates, Stefon Diggs has not been an everyday presence at Gillette Stadium during the voluntary portion of the offseason workout program. The veteran wide receiver, who joined the New England Patriots via a three-year, $63.5 million deal earlier this offseason, has instead opted for more of a hybrid participation model.
When he has been present, including during the first practice of mandatory minicamp on Monday, Diggs was limited in what he could do. The 31-year-old is still working his way back from tearing his ACL last October, and not yet cleared for competitive full-speed work.
Despite all of that, his presence has been felt within the Patriots offense.
“He seems like an awesome teammate. He’s my locker mate, one down from beside me. We talk all the time,” said quarterback Drake Maye.
“He’s a veteran in this league. He’s made a lot of plays, played in a lot of big time games. Just an awesome voice for the receiver room, for this offense. He’s played in some playoff games. He’s had some big games. Once he recovers, and he’s getting back out there, I’m looking forward to being able to throw him some footballs. It’s always good having a guy like that on your team.”
DeMario Douglas, who led the Patriots’ wide receivers in receptions in both 2023 and 2024, echoed his starting quarterback’s sentiment.
“A leader, and a go-getter,” Douglas said about Diggs. “He works hard every day. It’s not just behind the scenes. He’s actually working. He’s bringing along the young guys, too.”
When he put pen to paper to join the Patriots in March, Diggs added one of the most prolific pass catchers of his generation to the team’s offense. The former fifth-round draft choice, who spent time in Minnesota, Buffalo and Houston before coming to Foxborough, has appeared in a combined 158 regular season and playoff games and been the recipient of 926 total passes in his career.
Needless to say, he is uniquely qualified to serve as a leading presence within the Patriots offense. He seemingly knows it, too, actively trying to help out not just his fellow wideouts but his quarterback as well.
“In the meetings, [he’s] asking questions, asking me after plays, ‘Hey, what should I have done there? Hey, in the past, I’ve done this when the guy’s playing this leverage,’ stuff like that,” said Drake Maye. “He’s seen a lot of different things, played a long time in this league. It’s been great for me.”
Even though they played a part, New England did not just sign Diggs for his abilities as a mentor and veteran leader: he is, on paper, the closest player the team has to a true No. 1 wide receiver. What his role will look like when once he is physically able to handle a full workload has yet to be determined, though.
So far, however, head coach Mike Vrabel is happy with what he has seen out of the first-year Patriot.
“He’s trying to figure out where everything is and what his role is,” Vrabel said on Monday, “and making sure that as we add those situations — the third down, the no-huddle and red zone — that he’s staying up on it, working hard in his rehab. Certain drills he can be out there and there’s certain drills that he won’t be, but I think he’s engaged and I like his energy.”