Amid boat video controversy, Stefon Diggs returns to Patriots OTA practices
"He's here today, and we're excited to have an opportunity today to work with the guys who are out here and available to us."
It’s been an eventful couple of days for new Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs.
Less than week after the veteran receiver sparked plenty of discourse after he was taped in a viral video with an unidentified substance, Diggs was present and accounted for during the Patriots’ organized team activity (OTA) session Monday at Gillette Stadium.
Diggs was not present at OTAs last week following the release of the video of himself partying on a boat in Florida — but did participate in practices with the Patriots two weeks ago. OTAs are voluntary practices at this stage of the NFL preseason.
“It’s a voluntary part of the year, we know that. I don’t know if we’ve ever had perfect attendance at these things in general,” Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said. “As a coach, selfishly, you love it when they’re all here because you feel you’ve got them all in the classroom, the field and all the rest of it. He’s here today, and we’re excited to have an opportunity today to work with the guys who are out here and available to us.
“I know he’s staying up on the information and material. There are so many opportunities for us to teach all our guys going forward between the rest of the practices here in the spring, and then going into the summer and the many days we have before we actually kick the ball off in September. I’m not concerned about Stefon in that regard.”
Despite Diggs’ potential as a dynamic No. 1 receiving target for Drake Maye in 2025, the former All-Pro might already be on shaky ground with Mike Vrabel and New England’s coaching staff weeks ahead of training camp.
The viral video featured Diggs on a boat with several women in swimsuits — with the wide receiver at one point possessing a pouch that contained an unidentified pink substance.
Last week, Vrabel did not go into detail over the video and if there were any disciplinary measures doled out against Diggs.
“Well, it’s something that we’re aware of. Obviously, we want to make great decisions on and off the field,” Vrabel said. “We’re hoping that with our time here on the field today, that when we don’t have a script and we’re on the call periods, that we’re making great decisions.”
On Friday, 98.5 The Sports Hub’s Scott Zolak shared that the Patriots were at least considering releasing Diggs following this misstep.
“It’s not just the boat,” Zolak said. “There are some other things that I’ve heard that put some things in question. Are you all-in here?”
Amid this controversy, Diggs was back with his teammates on Monday — although he remains limited as he works his way back from an ACL tear he suffered in October 2024.
Even though Diggs was not taking part in 11-on-11 drills, he did reel in a few catches from Maye during Monday’s session.
“He’s working hard,” Patriots wide receivers coach Todd Downing said of Diggs ahead of Monday’s practice. “I think there’s a little carryover with the stuff he did in Buffalo with (Brian) Daboll back in the day. So there’s a little bit of a refresher course. But yeah, he’s been working hard.”
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