Stefon Diggs Fuels Patriots’ Surge in Remarkable Comeback Season
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A year after a devastating ACL tear, veteran wide receiver Stefon diggs has become the driving force behind the new England Patriots’ remarkable turnaround, leading the team in targets, receptions, and receiving yards through 11 starts.
The 9-2 Patriots have surged to contention in the AFC, largely thanks to Diggs’ resilience and immediate impact. HeS not just playing, but thriving, approaching the level of performance he demonstrated before his injury.
“I’ve got a good group of guys.We spend a lot of time together. I say it’s like your little mini family, because sometimes you spend more time with them than you do with your own family.So,I’m thankful to be where I’m at. I can’t thank God enough. As far as like my injury, it’s been a long time coming. But more importantly, I’m just still going.”
Last fall’s non-contact knee injury halted a streak of six consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Diggs joined the Patriots in March as an unrestricted free agent, signing a three-year, $63.6 million contract with $16.6 million fully guaranteed. Remarkably, he was cleared to practise in July without requiring a stint on the physically unable to perform list and entered the season as a starter alongside receivers Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III.
A Mindset of Resilience
Diggs reflected on his swift recovery, acknowledging a degree of surprise at the speed of his progress. “I wasn’t necessarily surprised, but I was more so like taken back a couple times with my injury as far as the progression was happening pretty well for me,” he said. “I knew that I attacked it with the mindset of that and I was never scared. Like I always said, ‘The worst happened to me already, so let me just get after it as much as I can and prepare the right way.’ It’s been an ongoing process throughout the season as far as training and getting my body where it needed to be. So, I wasn’t necessarily surprised. I was prepared, I worked for it and here we are.”
Under the guidance of head coach Mike Vrabel, offensive coordinator josh McDaniels, and wide receivers coach Todd Downing, Diggs has played in all 11 starts, appearing on the field for 56.8% of offensive snaps. He currently leads the Patriots’ passing attack with 72 targets, 59 receptions, and 659 receiving yards, putting him on pace for 111 targets, 91 receptions, and 1,018 receiving yards.
Comeback Player of the Year Contender
The veteran receiver’s performance has drawn high praise from teammates, including quarterback Drake Maye. “Proud of the way he’s handled what he’s been through,” Maye stated during his Wednesday press conference. “ACL surgery and bouncing back and coming in making plays, being ready to go Week 1. That says a lot about him as a football player, as a person, how much he’s worked.I think he’s got to be in the running for Comeback Player of the Year, I mean, as much as he’s done for this football team leadership-wise and play-wise.”
Diggs has recorded three 100+ yard receiving games and has scored three touchdowns in the last month – against the Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, and Tampa bay Buccaneers. The Patriots have also successfully recovered an onside kick during their current eight-game winning streak, solidifying their position as contenders for the AFC’s top seed.
Maye emphasized Diggs’ importance to the offense, adding, “Just do my part to get him the football. He’s a great player and I think he deserves a lot of credit for himself and the people who helped him to get back on time. He’s been a huge difference.”
The Patriots will face the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.
