The Patriots' final regular-season game of the 2025 season is upon us, and there are a lot of things to be determined from the results of not only their game but the rest of Sunday's slate. The most important, of course, is playoff seeding: New England goes into its matchup with the Dolphins as the No. 2 seed but has a chance to take the No. 1 spot from the Broncos if things go their way.
Then there are some more player-specific factors to consider that many will be hoping to accomplish before time runs out. For the Patriots, that includes Stefon Diggs looking to hit two massive contract incentives that will award him $1 million.
That will become something only Drake Maye can make happen, as Diggs needs eight more receptions to hit the contracted 90 to earn $500,000, as well as 30 more receiving yards to hit another $500k to add to his 2025 salary.
Patriots WR Stefon Diggs has $1 million in incentives on the line Sunday vs. Miami. Diggs needs eight receptions to finish this season with 90 and collect another $500,000 in incentives, and 30 receiving yards to finish this season with 1,000 and collect another $500,000. pic.twitter.com/CpiHtcdMaL
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 4, 2026
Although players don't typically discuss these kinds of things, they surely know about the ones they're close to hitting at the end of the season, so it's fair to assume Maye will do what he can to make Diggs get that money.
And it might be easier than they imagined.
Drake Maye can kill two birds with one stone in Week 18 by helping Stefon Diggs and building his MVP case
Because Diggs is on track to be the first 1,000+ receiving yard receiver for the Patriots since Julian Edelman in 2020, it would be massive if he can cross that threshold in the final game of the season, and not just because it would give him a massive check.
It would further prove Mike Vrabel and Co. right to take the risk of signing the 31-year-old who was coming off an ACL tear, and shows that he is still the same player he has always been, as he continues to be Maye's go-to receiver.
The quarterback needed to have a pass catcher of Diggs' caliber in his second season to help him reach a higher ceiling than his rookie year, and now he has a chance to reward him for being a good teammate and reliable weapon all season long.
Considering they're going against a weakened Dolphins team, there's a good chance it won't be too difficult to ensure Diggs hits those incentives, while also furthering Maye's MVP push in the process.