Depending on who you ask, the resurgence of the New England Patriots is the feel-good story of the 2025 NFL campaign. Much of the excitement has rightfully centered around second-year quarterback Drake Maye's elevation from rising star to shortlist MVP candidate.
Albeit uber talented, Maye's breakout doesn't happen without a strong supporting cast surrounding him, and he's not afraid to admit it. The 2024 No. 3 overall pick expressed gratitude for his teammates following the Patriots' 27-14 win over the New York Jets, namely Stefon Diggs.
Maye sounded particularly thankful to have a proven alpha wide receiver like Diggs at his disposal. The signal-caller put the remarkable level of belief he has in his top target on the field into words after beating the Jets. Yet, that confidence far predates the budding tandem's overlap in Foxborough.
Drake Maye gives ringing endorsement of Stefon Diggs after Patriots' TNF win vs. Jets
Diggs put in nearly a decade of work in the pros before Maye's arrival. The former's strong track record and role in Buffalo Bills passer and reigning MVP Josh Allen's ascension speaks for itself, which the latter clearly recognizes.
"That trust was built up probably when I was in middle school [and] when he was playing in the league," Maye told reporters. "It was long ago. Guys like him, Hunter [Henry] and Mack [Hollins], you trust those guys for what they've done in this league. I just try to give them chances."
Few pass-catchers have been more productive than Diggs throughout his 11-year career. Only five players have more receiving yards than him (11,150) since, and that number shrinks to three when filtering by catches (916). A résumé this great makes Maye's demonstrable faith and willingness to lean on the four-time Pro Bowler easy to comprehend.
The Maye-Diggs tandem continued to shine against the Jets, connecting on 9-of-11 targets for 105 yards. They're growing strong together with each passing week -- and the Pats have uncoincidentally rattled off eight straight victories. Their rapport has been at the forefront of New England emerging as a legitimate Super Bowl LX contender.
What we've seen from Diggs thus far in his inaugural season with the Pats may only be scratching the surface. They've slowly been ramping him up from a usage standpoint while returning to form from a torn right ACL he suffered last October. The veteran wideout's 89.2 percent route participation rate was his highest single-game mark of 2025 (h/t Fantasy Points' data suite).