New England Patriots
“I’m going to do my job. My job is attempt to be open.”
FOXBOROUGH — It’s been lower than a 12 months since Stefon Diggs — then with the Houston Texans — hit the turf at NRG Stadium whereas grabbing his knee.
A torn ACL ended Diggs’ 2024 season, with the 31-year-old wideout looking at an extended highway to restoration simply earlier than hitting the open market as a free agent.
A Patriots workforce in determined want of established pass-catchers brushed apart issues over Diggs’ age and harm — handing him a three-year, $63.5 million contract in March.
And up to now, the previous All-Professional has been nicely value that funding.
Diggs has seemed no worse for put on since getting the inexperienced gentle for snaps firstly of the 2025 season, reeling in 39 catches for 456 yards throughout seven video games up to now with New England.
It hasn’t taken lengthy for Diggs to say himself as Drake Maye’s high goal, with the veteran at present rating tenth within the league in complete catches.
For all the discourse relating to Diggs’ viability of being a No. 1 receiver at this stage of his profession, he’s on tempo for 95 catches and 1,107 receiving yards in his first season in Foxborough.
Whereas Diggs careworn on Wednesday that he’s felt no ill-effects from his surgically-repaired knee, he additionally wasn’t dwelling on no matter accomplishments he’s achieved up to now this 12 months.
As a substitute, he opted to harp on the collective strides made by a New England receiver corps that has elevated its collective play amid Maye’s ascension as a high NFL quarterback.
“I’ve been productive on third down. I’ve been productive on first and second down. We’ve obtained numerous guys who’re making numerous performs,” Diggs stated. “The second they put somewhat little bit of consideration on me, you see Pop Douglas, you see Kayshon Boutte, you see Mack Hollins… I don’t give it some thought an excessive amount of.
“When it’s my time to get another person open or the route idea requires me to get somebody open, I’m going to do my job. My job is attempt to be open. When I’m open, attempt to catch the ball. I’m not open, hopefully another person is.”
Whereas Diggs was introduced in to function a reliable receiving goal for Maye, he’s already establishing himself as a vocal chief in a younger Patriots locker room.
Diggs’ resume speaks for itself with regards to his prolonged monitor document of torching opposing secondaries.
However the four-time Professional Bowler holds simply as a lot pleasure for his off-the-field management as his influence out on the gridiron.
“I used to be introduced right here to do this,” Diggs stated of stepping up as a frontrunner. I’m one of many older receivers within the room, me and Mack (Hollins) strive our greatest to do what we are able to with having that have and proving what knowledge we now have to the younger gamers. They’re [good] gamers. These guys could make performs.
They’ve obtained all of it found out, and I really feel like we’re only a small piece of the puzzle with their success and retaining them in the best mindset. We wish to see guys come alive. We wish to see guys have numerous success. So far as being a frontrunner, it’s a part of the job. At this level in my profession, I anticipate that from myself.”
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