Mike ReissMar 25, 2025, 09:40 PM ET
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- Mike Reiss is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the New England Patriots. Reiss has lined the Patriots since 1997 and joined ESPN in 2009. In 2019, he used to be named Massachusetts Sportswriter of the Yr via the Nationwide Sports activities Media Affiliation.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Up up to now within the offseason, the New England Patriots hadn’t completed sufficient to give a boost to quarterback Drake Maye.
That modified in a giant method Tuesday night time.
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 present Maye, their second-year franchise quarterback, what he lacked remaining season — a No. 1-caliber move catcher who wins with elite route-running talent.
Diggs, 31, may not be what he as soon as used to be, as he works to go back from a torn ACL in his proper knee suffered Oct. 27. However he is instantly the most productive the Patriots have, a competitor and a worthy chance for the workforce to take. Diggs’ rehab is on the right track, and he’s anticipated to be in a position for Week 1, in line with ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Believe that Patriots receivers ranked twenty eighth within the NFL remaining season with 161 catches and 10 touchdowns and remaining with 1,723 receiving yards and 78 first downs (tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers).
And up up to now this offseason, their most effective addition to deal with the placement used to be signing Mack Hollins to a two-year, $8.4 million deal. The 6-foot-4, 221-pound Hollins can assist, however to in point of fact give themselves a possibility to lift to the higher tier — and maximize what they have got in Maye on his rookie contract and with Josh McDaniels returning as offensive coordinator — the Patriots had to be bolder.
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This does it. Sooner than the harm ended his 2024 season early, Diggs had a streak of six instantly 1,000-yard seasons. The Patriots have no longer had a 1,000-yard receiver since Julian Edelman in 2019.
If any person must understand how unhealthy Diggs, previously a member of the AFC East rival Buffalo Expenses, can also be, it is the Patriots. Diggs’ 61 catches towards New England are tied for his maximum towards any opponent in his occupation, whilst his 779 receiving yards and 8 receiving touchdowns are his moment maximum towards any opponent.
The response of Patriots gamers on social media — akin to cornerback Christian Gonzalez and veteran receiver Kendrick Bourne — spoke volumes of the honor he garners.
In Houston remaining season, quarterback C.J. Stroud raved about Diggs, pronouncing: “He is been not anything however simply superb to this workforce and to his teammates. He is helped me out a ton.” In January, Stroud had expressed his hope that Diggs may go back to the Texans in 2025.
How the Maye-Diggs mixture grows in combination will probably be one of the vital Patriots’ extra compelling storylines. When the 2 began following each and every different on Instagram this week, it equipped a public glimpse in their steps to start forming a bond.
The pairing used to be weeks within the making.
When the criminal negotiating duration of loose company started March 10, the Patriots have been providing massive cash to receiver Chris Godwin, who took much less to go back to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Patriots thought to be 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 have been dwindling (Amari Cooper, Keenan Allen, and many others.).
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Diggs and the Patriots look like a really perfect fit. Diggs will get a big-money contract that used to be not likely to come back from some other workforce in accordance with his go back from harm. The Patriots had a obtrusive want and cash to spend.
There’s extra to be completed, needless to say. The left facet of the offensive line stays a priority and most likely will probably be handled within the draft.
However this has doable to be a sport changer in New England, with Maye the principle beneficiary.
