While the Patriots reportedly had grand plans to add at WR this offseason, the team has been relatively quiet when it comes to the position. That could soon change, as the organization is hosting one of the biggest names remaining on the market. According to Chad Graff of The Athletic, the Patriots are hosting free agent wide receiver Stefon Diggs on a visit.
After losing out on the Calvin Ridley sweepstakes last offseason, the Patriots seemed motivated to provide Drake Maye with a notable pass catcher for the 2025 campaign. The team was a known suitor for Tee Higgins before the WR ended up sticking with the Bengals, and despite the Patriots offering Chris Godwin a lucrative contract, the veteran took less money to stick with the Buccaneers.
So, while New England has made headlines with a number of moves on the defensive side of the ball, the team has been relatively quiet on offense, at least when it comes to the skills positions. The team’s most notable signing was Mack Hollins, who was added to a receivers depth chart that still includes the likes of Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne, Demario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Javon Baker. None of those options have proven themselves as a definitive WR1 (or maybe even a WR2), so it’s not a huge surprise that the Patriots remain in the market for receiver help.
The team’s search has brought them to a familiar face in Diggs. Thanks particularly to his time in Buffalo, Diggs has compiled 779 career receiving yards against the Patriots, his second-highest total against any one team (the Packers lead the list). While the receiver’s numbers tailed off a bit during his final season with the Bills, he still finished the with at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage in each of his four seasons.
Diggs was traded to the Texans last season and only saw a slight drop off despite a deeper depth chart. Through eight games, the 31-year-old hauled in 47 catches for 496 yards and three touchdowns. Of course, his season ended in late October thanks to a torn ACL.
That injury likely clouded his current free agency, as it’s been relatively quiet on the Diggs front. We heard the Texans were interested in retaining their former acquisition, but the team has since added the likes of Christian Kirk and Justin Watson. Otherwise, the Patriots represent the first known suitor for Diggs.
With the wideout looking to rehabilitate his value and the Patriots desperate for receiver help, this could be a natural pairing. While New England would likely have to wait a bit for Diggs to return from his injury, the veteran’s addition would still be a boon for Maye and the Patriots offense.
Uhhh, what happened to targeting high character guys? And the reports they were afraid of adding a WR that would always be in Mayes ear?
What evidence is there that he’s not a high character guy? Do you know what he’s been through growing up and what he’s done for his family? Do your research
The guy has forced his way out of two organizations now, both with reputable QBs. This has nothing to do with his childhood or what he bought for his mother
He’s also been a productive receiver his whole career and has never been on a team with a losing record, so I think his issues are a little overstated.
He’s “actually a great guy”.
link to youtube.com
I see arguments both ways, but at the very least, I think that we can agree that Diggs hadn’t had any serious issues off the field. While his best days are behind him, he still offers more experience as a number one than the Patriots’ current options. I don’t know if Diggs wants to be part of a rebuilding team, but he certainly can offer a base that the Patriots could use in developing future talent.
Young gunslinger arm QB, he can get paid pretty well and a chance to face the bills twice a year? I highly doubt Diggs leaves that city without a contract lol
Mac Jones 2.0?
In a run first offense with no oline?
The opportunity to fight hard for third place in the East?
Elderly wide receiver coming off a huge injury?
Huge head case that has caused drama every where he has been?
What’s not to love?
Yes please, give him the bag Patriots.
That’s hilarious. Drake Maye has way better skills than Mac. And steff was very capable before his injury too
Does he?
All I heard was Mac was the second coming of Brady.. so smharrt, soo accurat, just a winnah like Touchdown Tommy. Everybody in the East is going to be so mad when we rule again…
But that’s what every body said when Cam started for the Pats as well.
In the end it turned out that Brady made Belly and in fact, McCorkle was pretty bad.
Maye is better
I wouldn’t say that it was THAT simple (how many games did those Pats win with good defense or a clutch kick?), but I’d also say that Jones wasn’t as bad as that Belichick made him into being (really? Matt Patricia as an O.C.?). Late era Belichick Patriots were a different organization than the “Evil Empire” Patriots of the 2000s and 2010s…
History aside, Maye is definitely more athletically talented than Jones. At the very least, he throws better, runs better, and is bigger. We have yet to see New England establish an offensive identity around him, but he does have better tools that should hopefully give him leeway for the next couple of years. Diggs could be a good veteran piece for that, in the short term.
Age and injury mean you can’t expect him to be what he once was, but Maye could sure use a receiver who knows how to get open.
No brainer if Diggs is healthy.
I think being in Houston had to have humbled him because he was clearly not their #1 and then got hurt when he finally started breaking out again.
Patriots need a legit vet WR who can still play at a high level while they develop their young guys.
If he couldn’t find happiness with Josh Allen, he never will. There’s a reason the Texans aren’t working hard to keep him.
Yeah, because they paid Nico Collins and traded for Kirk in addition to having Dell.
They don’t need Diggs.
New England on the other hand has no #1 but like Houston did when they traded for him has a bunch of young guys with potential.
He will be 32 in season.
Im sorry – but the entire reason he is available is because he isn’t viewed as an alpha anymore. Age plus injury.
He will eventually take a smaller contract than he wanted to be someone’s slot guy.
But its clear that NFL teams are staying away. The drama is a non-zero factor too.