As the NFL offseason began, it was clear that the New England Patriots had a rafter of holes that needed to be filled. The defense needed to be remade in the image of new coach Mike Vrabel but, more important, the team needed to add two major pieces to help out potential star quarterback Drake Maye.
As good as Maye showed he might be in 2024, it was clear that he–and the team–would have a ceiling as long as they were so drastically lacking at left tackle and at No. 1 wide receiver.
Well, the defense has been remade, but until Tuesday, there were still gaping holes at left tackle and in the receiver room. The second issue, at least, has been resolved: ESPN’s Adam Schefter announced that New England finally found a quality lead weapon for Maye.
The new guy is familiar to folks in New England: former Bills star Stefon Diggs, who was shipped to Houston last year and injured his ACL eight games into the season.
Before that, Diggs, who is 32, had spent four years in Buffalo, and finished all four years with at least 100 catches and more than 1,100 yards in the air. He had 9.3 touchdowns per year in those four seasons, and as a Pro Bowler each time. He was on pace for nearly 100 catches and 1,054 yards last year before the injury.
ESPN Sources: Free-agent WR Stefon Diggs reached agreement on a three-year, $69 million deal including $26 million guaranteed with the New England Patriots. pic.twitter.com/jz9R3t4MQZ
ESPN Sources: Free-agent WR Stefon Diggs reached agreement on a three-year, $69 million deal including $26 million guaranteed with the New England Patriots. pic.twitter.com/jz9R3t4MQZ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 25, 2025
Maye finished with 2,276 yards to go with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last year, numbers he put up despite not having a receiver go for more than 66 catches and 621 yards (Demario Douglas). He also played behind an offensive line that was ranked dead last in the league by Pro Football Focus.
The addition of Diggs comes one day after the Texans signed Cam Robinson to be their left tackle–a player the Patriots had interest in signing to fill that position.
