The Patriots' lack of focus on improving the offense in free agency has garnered a lot of concern from fans and reporters alike, mainly because they have the cap space to afford some big moves. With just one wide receiver signed and a few questionable offensive linemen, there is a growing worry about how Drake Maye will fare in his second season despite the upgrades of the coaching staff.
That has spotlighted next month's draft, as the Patriots are in good position to draft their next WR1 or starting left tackle with the No. 4 overall pick. That has looked like the best path to follow with the increasingly limited options they must consider in free agency, especially for the offensive line.
Fortunately, a few wide receivers remain unsigned and could be worthy of even a short-term contract. Because of that, the news of the Patriots having former Bills receiver Stefon Diggs in for a visit was a little less surprising.
Making that even better is the latest reporting about how well that meeting appears to be going, as it has now extended into a second day in Foxboro.
The Patriots have a good chance to dramatically change the impression of how free agency has gone so far
Of the players still looking for a team for the 2025 season, Diggs might not be at the top of everyone's list, mainly because he's recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season. But he's a phenomenal talent who has torched the Patriots' defense for many years and would be an impressive addition for Maye to work with in his second season.
Chad Graff of The Athletic was the first to report that Diggs was visiting the Patriots on Wednesday evening, and because there was no immediate contract offered, there was a lot of doubt about how the meeting went.
However, NFL insider Albert Breer revealed that the receiver had dinner with staffers on Wednesday and is in town today for further meetings and a physical, which could determine if a contract is offered.
The Patriots have free-agent WR Stefon Diggs in for a visit in Foxboro today (@ChadGraff 1st), per sources. He had dinner with staffers last night, and has meetings and will take a physical today—which is big, b/c he's coming back off a torn ACL.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 20, 2025
It's Diggs' first known visit.
His physical shouldn't be too concerning because all reports to this point have stated he is recovering at an impressive rate and should be able to start the season in Week 1, which won't be the case for another rumored target for the Patriots, Bradon Aiyuk.
Because the Patriots are seemingly the first team to take an interest in signing Diggs, the hope is this isn't the receiver's plan to prove he's still a desirable player and increase the interest in him across the league but instead a legitimate meeting with a team he'd like to play for.
Taking the optimistic route, there's no reason for the Patriots not to offer him a contract, even if it's just for two years, unless (of course) something concerning pops up with his physical. They have missed the mark in adding the caliber of talent to the receiving corps, and Diggs fits exactly what they should be looking for.
That could ultimately lead to an offer as soon as Thursday night or, at the very least, the end of the week. That would drastically change the impression of how this year's offseason has gone thus far, even if there are still some arguments to be made in other regards.