The New England Patriots made another huge splash in free agency, signing wide receiver Stefon Diggs to a monster contract. The rest of the NFL world had thoughts.
The Patriots were in dire need of a top-flight receiver. They got a huge name in the form of Diggs, who’s a four-time Pro Bowler.
However, Diggs is 31 years old and coming off a season-ending ACL tear. He’s also getting a huge deal in the form of a three-year, $69 million contract.
Here’s how media and analysts across New England (and the nation) reacted to the news:
Julian Edelman, Fox analyst, former Patriots receiver
“I like Stephon Diggs in New England, that situation, because Stefon Diggs is still pissed off at the Bills.”
“They need a No. 1 wide receiver. He’s wearing this No. 1 for a reason. He’s gonna help the New England Patriots and Drake Maye and their passing offense.”
An AFC exec to the Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan
“Feels a little rich for a 31-year-old coming off ACL. But when you have a major need, it’s natural to over pay a little.”
“The Patriots have a new WR1. They’ll have to be patient with Diggs coming off of an ACL tear, but a player who the franchise knows well from facing him now heads to New England.
“Are we back? I think we’re back.”
“Diggs, who’s coming off a torn ACL suffered in Week 8 vs. the Colts, is on track to return for Week 1 of the upcoming season. It was another reason the Patriots felt comfortable giving Diggs the three-year, $69 million deal that GM Eliot Wolf and Diggs’ agent Adisa Bakari … negotiated.”
“Whether getting the desired target, or having to pivot to Plan B, C, or beyond, Mike Vrabel is doing what’s needed to change the existing narrative.
“After a successful visit to NE, including a physical thanks to an ACL tear that ended his 2024, he lands to be a key target for Drake Maye.”
They shouldn’t be done at receiver. You have helped fill that need by signing this player – because when he was at his best last year before he got injured, he was a tremendous No. 2 … and was tremendous, and from people that I’ve spoken to there, worked hard, practiced hard, was a great teammate, and you’re hoping he brings all those things to your locker room as well.”
Albert Breer, Sports Illustrated
“That’s a lot for a guy coming off an ACL, but I applaud him for doing it. … He’s going to bring a level of competitiveness, a level of professionalism, a level of, ‘This is how we do it here.’ to a room that badly, badly, badly needed it. Last year, we talked about what a dumpster fire it was in there in 2024. This is the type of player who can come in there and fix it.”
Mike Giardi, Boston Sports Journal
“On Stefon Diggs, a coach who knows him well tells me, ‘If he’s healthy, they got themselves a dawg. They just gotta make sure to feed him.‘”
A Patriots veteran to the Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald
“I think (he) helps the team big time, so I love it.”
Alex Barth, 98.5 The Sports Hub
“Stefon Diggs has been one of the most underrated players in the NFL for a few years now. How he’ll look coming off of a torn ACL is certainly a legitimate question, but the ceiling of his move for the Patriots is beyond worth the risk.”
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