FOXBOROUGH – For better or worse, Stefon Diggs was back with the Patriots Monday, taking part in the team’s voluntary workout which was open to the media.
On the surface, the return of the star receiver looked like it was a regular day at the office, business as usual.
Diggs, while a limited participant, conversed with teammates, exchanged high-fives with receivers making good plays, chatted at different times with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, receivers coach Todd Downing and quarterbacks Drake Maye and Josh Dobbs.
More important, he looked pretty darn good for a player just seven months removed from late October ACL surgery. He ran effortlessly, made cuts, and looked the part during the drills he took part in.
He also wasn’t wearing any kind of brace or non-contact jersey, as Ja’Lynn Polk did when he took part in drills.
It’s just hard know if Diggs is still in Mike Vrabel’s dog house, or if he’s managed to say and do enough to get back in the good graces of the Patriots head coach.
Or, might he still be teetering between the two?
Last week, Vrabel didn’t sound all that pleased with his receiver’s judgment, or lack of such, thanks to a video that went viral showing the receiver on a yacht, partying with bikini-clad women, and offering them a questionable pink substance.
Diggs’ presence at the workout, however, suggested some kind of truce. Or perhaps even more.
Whether he took accountability, was honest about what went on in the video or said just enough to appease Vrabel, it seemed like all was well for the time being with the Patriots and the veteran receiver.
And, if there are no hiccups from here on out, that’s good news for the Patriots.
While there’s been some reporting the Patriots could release Diggs at little to no cost at this stage, the team still might end up with egg on its face if they choose that route.
If they cut him, and he signs with another team, has a terrific season and boosts another team’s quarterback to greater heights, the Patriots will look like fools.
As Vrabel stated before the entire Diggs episode transpired, you can’t win with just a bunch of “good dudes.”
Sometimes, you just have to put up with players who come with baggage.
And Diggs certainly arrived with a reputation of sorts, where something always seemed to happen to cause a stir, whether it was chewing out his quarterbacks publicly on the sidelines, or getting into some kind of mess on social media.
Partying during voluntary practices isn’t exactly a fireable offense. But putting that video out on social media, and flaunting the behavior wasn’t a good look, especially in wake of Vrabel’s edict on building culture, and wanting players to think of team-first, and making the type of decisions that won’t cause a distraction.
So right out of the gate, Diggs flunked that assignment. For the time being, however, it looks like Vrabel is willing to live with that first strike.
Translation: there are no plans for a release on the horizon.
Diggs also has to know Vrabel isn’t going to put up with anything else that will make the player, or the team look bad – no matter how vital he may be to the offense.
That had to be made clear during whatever conversations Vrabel had with the player leading to his return Monday. Diggs wasn’t present at the open OTA session last week.
“He’s here today and we’re excited to have an opportunity to work with the guys that are out here and available to us,” offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said prior to the workout. “I know he’s staying up on the information and the material. There’s so many things and opportunities for us to teach all of our guys going forward… I’m not concerned about Stef in that regard.”
The Patriots signed Diggs to a 3-year, $69 million contract this offseason. A decent portion of that deal – $26 million – was guaranteed. After missing out on a few other notable free agent receivers, the Patriots were willing to roll the dice on the 4-time Pro Bowler.
In desperate need of a top-flight receiver opposing defenses have to pay attention to, Diggs fit the bill even being 31, coming off ACL surgery, and not having the cleanest reputation.
He has star power, and still has an offensive presence the Patriots crave. Assuming Diggs continues to progress with his knee rehabilitation, and is a reasonable facsimile of himself, he should help Maye and make the other receivers around him better.
Vrabel & Co. just have to decide at what cost it is to keep him, especially if Diggs continues to ignore the message.
The way it looked Monday, however, all signs on the Diggs front were positive. It was full steam ahead.
