For a brief moment in time, it appeared that Stefon Diggs was on his way to become one of the best receivers of his generation. From 2018-2023, Diggs had at least 1,000-yards receiving on the year between the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills.
His best moment in Minnesota occurred during the 2017 Divisional Round against the New Orleans Saints. Diggs caught a last-second pass from Case Keenum and after a missed tackle by Saints’ safety Marcus Williams, Diggs would go on to score and win the game for the Vikings.
During his time in Buffalo, Diggs recorded four consecutive pro bowl appearances and was named first-team all-pro in 2020 and second-team all-pro in 2022. He also led the league in receptions and receiving yards in 2020 as well.
With the numbers and accolades, you would think that Diggs would be a high priority for teams to sign in the 2025 offseason, but only recently did Diggs finally find a suitor for his services.
Diggs spent the 2024 season with the Houston Texans after he was traded from Buffalo in exchange for a second-round selection in the 2025 draft. Buffalo also dealt Houston a sixth-round pick in the 2024 draft and a fifth-round selection in the 2025 draft.
What ended up happening in Houston was a very underwhelming performance from Diggs that ended with him tearing his ACL in a non-contact injury against the Indianapolis Colts in week eight of the 2024 regular season.
Diggs’ final 2024 numbers looked like this: eight games played, eight games started, 47 receptions, 496 receiving yards, three receiving touchdowns and one rushing touchdown.
The one rushing touchdown was the only thing that could be considered a career high for Diggs in 2024. Every other major statline was a career low for Diggs, the only other season that would be considered comparable would be his rookie season back in 2015.
Given that he suffered a non-contact injury, having a statistically career low season and entering his age 31/32 season it becomes a little bit more clear as to why Diggs wasn’t a high priority in free agency.
However, that all changed when Mike Vrabel and the New England Patriots came calling. The Patriots just signed Diggs to a three-year deal that is worth up to $69 million. Coach Vrabel spoke about the team adding Diggs to their roster.
“Yeah, just trying to make sure we’re supporting Drake (Maye) and supporting the football team,” Vrabel told former NFL player and podcast host Chris Long. “And again, this is a highly competitive, confident receiver that’s produced throughout his career and multiple ways, play style.”
While Diggs is no longer the player he once was, he can still provide plenty of output and veteran leadership to a young Patriots team. Who knows, Diggs could still turn out one of the best seasons of his career with a young QB in Drake Maye throwing to him every sunday.
Watch out for Diggs to become a comeback player of the year candidate.
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