Stefon Diggs’ contract is official with the New England Patriots and now he needs to figure out what number he’s going to wear.
The wide receiver wore No. 1 with the Houston Texans last season, but that number is already taken by Ja’Lynn Polk.
So when a fan suggested he wear it for the 2025 season when Diggs asked his Instagram followers for suggestions, he immediately explained why that won’t happen.
“Nah we (d)on’t do that & young boy boutta have a good year… believe in em,” Diggs wrote.
Polk had a down rookie season with 12 catches for 87 yards and a touchdown. But executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf admitted the Patriots didn’t put the wideout in the best position to succeed in 2024.
“He was a young player that came in, and he’s mature, he’s smart. I think organizationally we maybe put too much on his plate early, and I think that really kind of stunted his growth a little bit,” Wolf said at the NFL Combine. “He’s aware of that, and we’ve talked about it. And he’s going to continue to work hard and rehab and do the things that are necessary to improve.”
Diggs also wore No. 14 while he was with the Minnesota Vikings and the Buffalo Bills. But newly signed linebacker Robert Spillane has that number.
The Patriots addressed a glaring need when they signed Diggs to a three-year deal. While the wide receiver tore his ACL in Week 8 last year, he’s ahead of schedule in his recovery and, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, is on track to be ready for Week 1.
Diggs’ rehab has impressed his physical therapist, who he’s been working with since undergoing surgery to repair the torn ACL.
“Honestly, I’ve done this for 14 years. I’ve never seen someone look as good as he does this early. I mean, it’s insane,” Dr. Sharif Tabbah told MassLive’s Mark Daniels. “I gotta stop telling him that, so he doesn’t get too excited. But he’s been doing great. It’s been a lot of fun to work with him.”