Patriots sign Stefon Diggs to bolster offense and support Drake Maye

Up until now this offseason, the New England Patriots hadn't done enough to support their second-year quarterback, Drake Maye. However, that changed significantly on Tuesday night.

The Patriots made a bold move by agreeing to a three-year, $69 million deal with veteran receiver Stefon Diggs, which includes $26 million in guaranteed money. This addition provides Maye with the No. 1-caliber pass catcher he lacked last season—an elite route-runner capable of winning consistently.

Although Diggs, 31, is working his way back from a torn ACL in his right knee, suffered on October 27, he is still the most talented receiver the Patriots have. His rehabilitation is progressing well, and he is expected to be ready for the season opener, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Consider the Patriots' struggles at wide receiver last season: they ranked 28th in the NFL with 161 receptions and 10 touchdowns, and finished last in receiving yards (1,723) and first downs (78). So far this offseason, their only significant addition to the position was signing Mack Hollins to a two-year, $8.4 million deal. While Hollins, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 221 pounds, could help, it was clear that the Patriots needed to make a more aggressive move to elevate their offense, especially with Maye on a rookie contract and Josh McDaniels returning as offensive coordinator.

This deal accomplishes that. Before a season-ending injury in 2024, Diggs had put together six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. The Patriots haven’t had a 1,000-yard receiver since Julian Edelman in 2019.

As a former member of the AFC East rival Buffalo Bills, the Patriots are all too familiar with Diggs' ability to dominate. He had 61 receptions against New England, his most against any opponent, along with 779 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, which are his second-most against any team. The respect for Diggs is clear from the Patriots' players, with cornerback Christian Gonzalez and veteran receiver Kendrick Bourne expressing their enthusiasm on social media.

Last season in Houston, quarterback C.J. Stroud praised Diggs, saying: "He's been nothing but just amazing to this team and to his teammates. He's helped me out a ton." Stroud also hoped Diggs would return to the Texans in 2025.

The pairing of Maye and Diggs will be one of the most intriguing storylines for the Patriots moving forward. The two even started following each other on Instagram this week, signaling the beginning of their connection.

This move has been in the works for weeks. When the free agency period began on March 10, the Patriots offered a large contract to receiver Chris Godwin, who chose to return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Patriots also considered trading for DK Metcalf, who ultimately went to the Steelers, and passed on acquiring veteran Cooper Kupp, who later signed with the Seattle Seahawks. With top-tier options shrinking, Diggs became the perfect fit. He gets a substantial contract that other teams were unlikely to offer due to his injury recovery, while the Patriots had a pressing need for a receiver and the funds to make it happen.

There's still work to be done, particularly with addressing the left side of the offensive line, which will likely be tackled in the draft. However, this acquisition could be a game-changer for the Patriots, with Maye set to reap the benefits.