FOXBORO — The narrative round Stefon Diggs has modified this season, however the Patriots huge receiver contends that he hasn’t.
Diggs has been praised since signing with the Patriots in March for his management and selflessness. That wasn’t essentially the fame he carried throughout previous stops with the Vikings and Payments, with each tenures ending in trades.
“I don’t suppose individuals change, bro,” Diggs instructed the Herald. “I’ve been the identical method. It’s extra about the way it’s being obtained. Individuals don’t change in a single day. And it don’t take one season for anyone to have a special outlook about them. I’ve been the identical man since I obtained within the league. Notion is what you hear about somebody. That doesn’t imply you understand them.”
Diggs caught 85 passes for 1,013 yards with 4 touchdowns through the common season. Even in stretches when he was barely focused and producing lower than 30 yards, Diggs by no means had a sideline outburst. He never lobbied for more targets or catches to the media, as a substitute lauding his teammates and the Patriots’ general offensive weapons.
So, why was that the narrative round Diggs?
“It’s all about what individuals hear, what individuals see on the web,” Diggs mentioned. “Individuals don’t obtained their very own opinions from their very own experiences if (they’ve by no means) met anyone. I simply really feel like I didn’t flip 32 and turn into a brand new individual. That’s not the way it works on this league. I’ve been within the league, obtained a number of contracts. I haven’t modified. I didn’t wait to show 32 to alter my entire life. I’ve been the identical. It’s all about the way you’re being obtained by individuals.
“The reality is about what you hear and what you see and what you learn. Till individuals have their very own private encounter with you is once they change their opinion, as a result of at this level now, everyone’s saying it’s one thing — singing a special tune. No person ever mentioned I used to be a foul teammate. The stuff that folks mentioned about me, they didn’t even know me to say it. Lots of people are simply glad that they’re incorrect about me. It says extra about them than me.”
Diggs mentioned he is aware of that any narrative about him being egocentric or a foul teammate is coming from individuals who don’t know him, “As a result of the individuals who know me don’t say these issues. To not my face, not less than.”
The workforce publicly supported Diggs after allegations came to light final week of a felony cost of strangulation and a misdemeanor cost of assault from an alleged incident final month. The workforce mentioned Diggs “categorically denies the allegations.” Diggs’ arraignment is scheduled for January 23, two days earlier than the AFC Championship Recreation.
Head coach Mike Vrabel praised Diggs after the Patriots’ season finale for the veteran huge receiver’s consistency, saying he sits within the entrance row throughout conferences, pays consideration, brings power and has been “improbable.”
Quarterback Drake Maye added: “Some video games he’s not getting the ball as a lot as any receiver would wish to, and he’s nonetheless attempting to dam exhausting and retains the power up and breaking the workforce down and motivating me. I feel he’s meant the world to me, and I recognize each time I’m going on the market with him and a participant like him. I simply don’t take that with no consideration. Wanting ahead to seeing him in playoff soccer.”
The workforce has a choice to make on Diggs’ contract, relying on what else involves mild from that arraignment, after the season. He signed a three-year, $63.5 million contract final March. He’s because of earn a $20.6 million base wage in 2026, $1.7M of which is absolutely assured. One other $6 million of his 2026 wage turns into assured on March 13.
