When it came to free agency this offseason, Stefon Diggs could've gone to a contending team, such as Detroit or Philadelphia. The New England Patriots weren't a prime destination for free agent receivers - at least on paper - after winning just eight games combined in the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
But Diggs ultimately chose New England, and nine games into the season, Mike Vrabel, Drake Maye, and company should be counting their blessings.
In Sunday's win over the Atlanta Falcons, Diggs became the fifth-fastest receiver in NFL history to reach 900 career receptions, doing so in just career games. Fittingly, Diggs tied Falcons' legend Julio Jones in the process, and found the end zone on the play for his second touchdown as a Patriot.
He tied WR Julio Jones as the fifth-fastest player in @NFL history to reach the 900-reception mark, doing so in just 153 games. https://t.co/8Feb9HJZJJ
— Patriots Communications (@PatriotsComms) November 2, 2025
Diggs represents what the Patriots haven't had the last several years, and that's a legitimate number one receiver who can make clutch catches in all areas of the field. That's what a young quarterback like Drake Maye needs. Remember when Diggs arrived in Buffalo in 2020 and we saw a turbocharge in Josh Allen's career?
Diggs is a prime reason why the Patriots are a contender in the AFC East. He only had three catches on Sunday, but he gave Maye an essential security blanket after Kayshon Boutte left with an injury in the first half.
Stefon Diggs will be one of the reasons the Patriots make the playoffs
With the Patriots sitting at 7-2, they'd have to have a catastrophic second-half collapse to not be in the postseason. They found ways to win on Sunday even though Maye didn't play his best, and that's what good teams do.
New England should be fortunate that Diggs chose to come here.
He could've gone anywhere and chased a ring. At 31 years old, he's on the back nine of his career, and teams were leery of giving him big money coming off a torn ACL.
But the Patriots had the salary cap space to spend on quality players, and I said in this space that Diggs would be the preferred option over Chris Godwin, given the latter had a catastrophic injury last season and has yet to see the field for Tampa Bay.
Diggs has been a great mentor for the young receivers and was among the first to greet DeMario Douglas after his touchdown on Sunday. It remains to be seen if New England will add another pass-catcher prior to Tuesday's trade deadline, but the Patriots should be thanking their lucky stars Diggs chose to come here.