NFL free agency is always wild, but nothing gets the league buzzing like a star receiver possibly switching teams. One minute, a guy seems locked into a team’s future, and the next, he’s taking visits and weighing his options. And when that guy is Stefon Diggs—yeah, everybody’s paying attention.
Diggs just met with the New England Patriots, and it’s got the whole league on high alert. The 31-year-old wideout is coming off a torn ACL, but word is he’s ahead of schedule in rehab. If that’s true, teams in need of a WR1 should probably rethink their offseason plans ASAP. A fully healthy Diggs isn’t just a solid option—he’s a game-changer. And the way his former teammates and coaches talk about him? This dude is the real deal.
Quick-hit thoughts/notes around the Patriots and NFL (catching up on Stefon Diggs’ visit; is NE now boxed in to draft offense?; Travis Hunter’s rare hand-eye coordination and ball skills; welcome “Dr. Gibby”; NFL scouts/coaches to Boston on Monday etc.) https://t.co/umzrdxSiHO
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) March 23, 2025
For New England, this move makes a ton of sense. Their receiver room is looking really thin, and rookie QB Drake Maye needs a reliable target. Plus, head coach Mike Vrabel isn’t the type to play it safe. He’s got that aggressive mindset, and if he thinks Diggs can still cook, the Pats might just go all-in. They already swung big on defense with signings like Milton Williams (four years, $104M), Robert Spillane, and Carlton Davis. But after missing out on Chris Godwin and Cooper Kupp, Diggs might be their best shot at a WR upgrade.
And it’s not just the Pats who should be paying attention here. Diggs has been elite for years—since 2020, he’s racked up nearly 6,000 yards and 40 touchdowns. If he’s even close to his old self, he’s still a WR1 on most teams. Bills QB Josh Allen once said about Diggs, “This man loves to work. It was awesome to see the amount of detail he puts into his craft and how communicative he is. He will be loved in the locker room.” Former Vikings lineman Alex Boone backed that up, calling Diggs “one of the best teammates I ever had.”
Meanwhile, Houston isn’t giving up just yet. Texans GM Nick Caserio made it clear they’d love to have Diggs back, calling him a great fit and leaving the door open for a return. Before his injury, Diggs had 47 catches for 496 yards and three touchdowns in just eight games with Houston. That’s not mind-blowing, but it showed he can still produce. His former Bills head coach Sean McDermott even said, “He’s a guy who will race you to see who can tie their shoe the fastest. Everything about him is about competing to be the best.”
And let’s not forget—other teams are watching all of this go down. The Chiefs, Cowboys, and even the Bills (his former squad) could all jump into the mix if they like what they see in his recovery. Reports say Diggs is already running full speed and cutting without issues, which means teams could start making moves soon. Houston RB Joe Mixon has even hyped up Diggs’ commitment to recovery, adding that he expects him to be back at full strength soon.
Mike Vrabel’s big gamble: Can he score a WR1 for Drake Maye?
Taking over as head coach of the Patriots isn’t a walk in the park, and Mike Vrabel knows it all too well. With the weight of the old Brady-Belichick legacy still hanging over him, Vrabel’s under pressure to turn things around—especially when it comes to giving rookie QB Drake Maye the weapons he needs. After missing out on top targets like Tee Higgins. Vrabel’s now setting his sights on Stefon Diggs.
On paper, Diggs is a no-brainer. The guy has racked up six straight 1,000-yard seasons in Minnesota and Buffalo, making him one of the league’s best receivers when he’s healthy. But here’s the kicker: Diggs is coming off a torn ACL, and there’s no clear timeline for a full recovery. It’s a bold move, but if Diggs can bounce back even at 80-90% of his old self, he could be exactly the boost the Patriots’ offense needs.
There’s more to it than just stats, though. Diggs has a big personality and isn’t exactly known for holding back his opinions—he even aired some frustrations during his time with Buffalo “Want me to be okay with losing? Nah“. Vrabel now has the challenge of managing that energy and keeping the locker room chemistry in check. With owner Robert Kraft expecting big things, the pressure is really on for Vrabel to pull off this high-risk move.
At the end of the day, this is a huge gamble. If Vrabel lands Stefon Diggs, it could transform the Patriots’ offense and give Maye a real shot at success. If not, he’s back to square one, scrambling to find a true WR1 while watching the rest of the league snap up top talent.
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