The New England Patriots didn’t need a miracle to land wide receiver Stefon Diggs in free agency.
Diggs, known for the Minneapolis miracle play in 2018, officially signed with the Patriots on Friday. He revealed that the Patriots were the only team he visited as he left the Houston Texans amid recovery from an ACL tear.
Diggs has enjoyed much success amid 857 catches, 10,491 yards, and 75 touchdowns in his 10-year career. A four-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro, Diggs has played in 14 playoff games between his time with the Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, and Texans. That includes an AFC Championship Game appearance and the Minneapolis Miracle last-second, game-winning touchdown catch for an NFC Championship Game trip.
New England has long ways to go for being a playoff contender again after two-straight four-win seasons, but Diggs gives the Patriots a major boost to the passing game. The Patriots are spending big with Diggs amid a four-year, $69 million deal.
“I kind of figured [the contract] was going to be around that area, considering I’m coming off the injury, but also the fact that I’m one of the only receivers that had six 1,000-yard seasons consecutively before the injury,” Diggs said. “The production, it’s always been here.”
“I can move the chains. I can do intermediate. I can go deep. I did that all throughout my career,” Diggs added. “My résumé probably speaks for itself, but it was more so the injury that would deter or make the money is what it is.”
Last season, Diggs caught 47 passes for 496 yards and three touchdowns in eight games before the injury. Overall, Diggs has caught six or more touchdowns in every season of his career except for three.
Diggs will now look to elevate a young Patriots offense led by second-year quarterback Drake Maye, who had 2,276 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. The Patriots haven’t had a 1,000-yard receiver since 2019, when former wideout Julian Edelman did it.
“I look at it definitely as an opportunity. What could’ve been, could’ve been. At this point, I am where I am, and I’m thankful,” Diggs said.
Diggs and the Texans faced the Patriots last season, and he said he has met Maye, New England’s No. 2 pick out of North Carolina in 2024. For Diggs, it will be the fourth starting quarterback who went in the top 10 of the draft. The others included Sam Bradford with the Vikings, C.J. Stroud with the Texans, and Josh Allen with the Bills.
“It’s crazy because, when you ask around, people say he acts a lot like Josh. And you know, that was my guy,” Diggs said.
“We played him last year, and he showed a lot of fight. He has that fiery quarterback ‘I want to win’ mindset. So that’s something I get excited about and love to be around.”
Meanwhile, Diggs looks to get healthy in time for the season. While he could recover in time to start the season, he’s not making any promises.
“I’m ahead of schedule. I’m trying to stay ahead of schedule,” Diggs said. “I’ve been pretty serious about the grind process, as far as the rehab and everything.”
“So shout out to Dr. Reeve. I’m ahead of schedule right now,” Diggs added. “I’m trying to stay there at this point, trying to work a little smarter. I’m a hard worker, so I try to put a lot on my plate at one time, but I’m trying to reel it back a little bit, just be a little bit more smarter.”
