Pats Pulpit
When Drake Maye first invited his teammates to North Carolina for an offseason workout, he wasn’t sure if four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs would show up.
But Diggs, who was also working back from an ACL tear, arrived for a weekend of work, beginning the process of building chemistry with his new quarterback — and leaving Maye even more excited for the season ahead.
“Credit to Stef for his ability to bounce back and heal up from an injury like that in such a short period of time,” Maye said. “He showed up and was running routes back home in North Carolina. From that point on, I feel like it’s looking forward to getting with him on the field and seeing him do his thing.”
The offseason work allowed Diggs to suit up for the Patriots’ season opener back in September, and “doing his thing” throughout the year put the veteran on the brink of another milestone. Entering Sunday’s regualr-season finale, Diggs sat just 30 yards shy of 1,000.
He exceeded that mark with 39 seconds left in the third quarter, when Maye stepped up in the pocket and found Diggs downfield for a 34-yard gain.
After a year of rehab to get back on the field, the achievement — which triggered a $500,000 incentive — carried added meaning than year’s pasts.
“People see all the hard work you put in and the daily struggles that people have. People go through [expletive] — the ups and downs,” Diggs said. “I kept grinding, stayed focused. To hit another 1,000 yards, I’ve done it before, but this is probably the most meaningful one I’ve ever had. Just because coming off of injury.”
He added: “People just don’t know, coming off an ACL [injury] and getting your confidence back, being around the right people, they’re pushing you every day. I’m so thankful God is good, God is amazing. I’m going to enjoy this.”
Signing a three-year contract in free agency worth up to $69 million, Diggs has had an immediate impact in New England.
In addition to becoming the first Patriot player since Julian Edelman in 2019 to exceed the 1,000-yard mark, the 32-year old has quickly established himself as a leader in key voice in the locker room.
“Very consistent,” head coach Mike Vrabel said. “I mean, he sits [in the front row] every day. He’s up front. He’s attentive. There’s an energy to him. He’s been out there. He’s been available. He’s taking care of his body. Then the production, I think has been fantastic. I’m glad that we have him.”
Diggs has been at his best in biggest moments this season, with three of his five 100-yard games coming in prime time. As the focus now shifts to the postseason, New England will hoping for at least one more vintage showing from their top receiver.
“I think he’s meant the world to me and I appreciate every time I go out there with him and a player like him,” Maye...
