Pats Pulpit
New England agreed to a three-year deal with Diggs in free agency.
Mike Vrabel knew the importance of building the supporting cast around New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. So, he turned to free agent wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who has caught the coach’s eye in the past.
As the Patriots are expected to officially announce the signing of Diggs on Friday, Vrabel made his first comments on the addition Thursday on Chris Long’s The Green Light podcast.
“Just trying to make sure we’re supporting Drake and supporting the football team,” Vrabel explained. “And again, this is a highly competitive, confident receiver that’s produced throughout his career and multiple ways, play style, right? He’s got a play strength to him that you see that he can play physical, route craft, good at the catch point, has been good in the red zone.
“There’s a play style to him that I’ve always appreciated, and that we want to continue to enhance and make sure that he’s doing things to help us.”
In eight games last season, Diggs caught 47 passes for 496 receiving yards and three touchdowns for the Texans prior to tearing his ACL in late October. The 31-year-old, who was on pace for both 100 catches and his seventh consecutive 1,000 yard season, is reportedly expected to be ready for Week 1 next season.
Signing Diggs to a three-year, $69 million deal with $26 million guaranteed, New England is hoping a healthy Diggs will provide a serious upgrade in their wide receiver room and a reliable target for quarterback Drake Maye.
After holding Diggs on a free agent visit in Foxboro last week prior to signing him, the receiver has made a strong intial impression on his new head coach.
“It’s just his conversation, his demeanor, his attitude and his presence have been great through our conversations,” Vrabel shared. “And hopefully we can, you know, continue to add good players.”
