FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Up up to now within the offseason, the New England Patriots hadn’t completed sufficient to help quarterback Drake Maye.
That modified in a giant means Tuesday evening.
In agreeing with veteran receiver Stefon Diggs on a three-year, $69 million contract with $26 million assured, the Patriots made a decisive transfer to provide Maye, their second-year franchise quarterback, what he lacked final season — a No. 1-caliber pass-catcher who wins with elite route-running skill.
Diggs, 31, won’t be what he as soon as was, as he works to return from a torn ACL in his proper knee suffered on Oct. 27. However he is instantly the very best the Patriots have, a competitor, and a worthy danger for the group to take. Diggs’ rehab is on the right track and he’s anticipated to be prepared for Week 1, in keeping with ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Take into account that Patriots receivers ranked twenty eighth within the NFL final season with 161 catches and 10 touchdowns, and final with 1,723 receiving yards and 78 first downs (tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers).
And up up to now this offseason, their solely addition to handle the place was signing Mack Hollins to a two-year, $8.4 million deal. The 6-foot-4, 221-pound Hollins can assist, however to really give themselves an opportunity to raise to the higher tier — and maximize what they’ve in Maye on his rookie contract and with Josh McDaniels returning as offensive coordinator — the Patriots wanted to be bolder.
This does it. Earlier than the damage ended his 2024 season early, Diggs had a streak of six straight 1,000-yard seasons. The Patriots haven’t had a 1,000-yard receiver since Julian Edelman in 2019.
If anybody ought to understand how harmful Diggs, previously a member of the AFC East rival Buffalo Payments, could be, it is the Patriots. Diggs’ 61 catches in opposition to New England are tied for his most in opposition to any opponent in his profession, whereas his 779 receiving yards and eight receiving touchdowns and his second most in opposition to any opponent.
The response of Patriots gamers on social media — resembling cornerback Christian Gonzalez and veteran receiver Kendrick Bourne — spoke volumes of the respect he garners.
In Houston final season, quarterback C.J. Stroud raved about Diggs, saying: “He is been nothing however simply superb to this group and to his teammates. He is helped me out a ton.” In January, Stroud had expressed his hope that Diggs would possibly return to the Texans in 2025.
How the Maye-Diggs mixture grows collectively is now one of many Patriots’ extra compelling storylines. When the 2 began following one another on Instagram this week, it offered a public glimpse of their steps to start forming a bond.
The pairing was weeks within the making.
When the authorized negotiating interval of free company started March 10, the Patriots had been providing massive cash to receiver Chris Godwin, who took much less to return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Patriots thought-about buying and selling for DK Metcalf, who ended up going to the Steelers. Then they handed on buying and selling for veteran Cooper Kupp, who later signed with the Seattle Seahawks. The upper-end choices had been dwindling (Amari Cooper, Keenan Allen and so forth.).
Diggs and the Patriots seem to be an ideal match. Diggs will get a big-money contract that was unlikely to return from one other group primarily based on his return from damage. The Patriots had a obtrusive want and cash to spend.
There may be extra to be completed, for certain. The left facet of the offensive line stays a priority and certain will likely be handled within the draft.
However this has potential to be a game-changer in New England, with Maye the first beneficiary.
