Mike Vrabel explains why Patriots decided to sign WR Stefon Diggs
"There’s a play style to him that I’ve always appreciated."
New England’s extended search for a proven playmaker came to a close this week, with the Patriots signing veteran wideout Stefon Diggs to a three-year contract worth up to $69 million.
Even with Diggs’ age (31) and the fact that he’s working his way back from a torn ACL, the former All-Pro wideout’s resume and competitive drive was enough to entice Mike Vrabel and the Patriots to hand him a contract this spring.
“Yeah, just trying to make sure we’re supporting Drake and supporting the football team,” Vrabel told former Patriots pass rusher Chris Long about Diggs on the “Green Light” Podcast. “And again, this is a highly competitive, confident receiver that’s produced throughout his career and multiple ways, play style.
“He’s got a play strength to him that you see that he can play physical, you know, 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.”
While Diggs may not be the same wideout that torched defenses for years as Josh Allen’s top target in Buffalo (445 catches, 5,372 yards, 37 touchdowns over four seasons with the Bills), he was in the midst of another strong season with Houston in 2024 before suffering his knee injury.
Before injuring his knee on Oct. 27, Diggs appeared in eight games with the Texans, reeling in 47 catches for 496 yards and three touchdowns. At that stage in the season, Diggs ranked seventh in the NFL in catches (47) and was second on the Texans in receiving yards (496).
Even with his injury, Diggs’ baseline production was still impressive — as he was on pace for 100 catches for 1,054 yards and six touchdowns over the course of a 17-game season.
While surrounding Maye with more talent stood as a focus for New England this offseason, Vrabel acknowledged that Diggs has more to offer a rebuilding Patriots team than just his route-running and playmaking capabilities.
“It’s just his conversation, his demeanor, his attitude, and his presence have been, you know, great through our conversation,” Vrabel said of Diggs. “And hopefully we can continue to add good players.”
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