The Patriots walked out of Week 11 with one clear storyline. Drake Maye looks more comfortable each week, and Stefon Diggs has become the steady veteran presence this young offense leans on. Their connection showed again in the win over the Jets, and Maye later explained that his trust in Diggs did not start this season. It started long before he entered the league.
“No, that trust was built up probably when I was in middle school when he was playing in the league; it was long ago. You know, guys like him and Hunter and Mack—you trust those guys for what they’ve done in this league…”
Drake Maye was asked if his trust in Stefon Diggs was built up over time, or if he had it with him right away:
“No, that trust was built up probably when I was in middle school when he was playing in the league, it was long ago. You know, guys like him and Hunter and Mack – you… pic.twitter.com/ZEhOhfxNZB
— Tom Carroll (@yaboiTCfresh) November 14, 2025
Drake Maye’s Childhood Link to Stefon Diggs Now Shapes New England’s Passing Identity
Oct 5, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) and wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) walks off the field against the Buffalo Bills after the game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Oct 5, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) and wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) walks off the field against the Buffalo Bills after the game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Maye’s comment gained attention because it explains how quickly their chemistry has formed. This is not a rookie learning from a veteran on the fly. This is a quarterback who studied Diggs’ releases, his footwork, and his late-hands technique years before sharing a locker room with him. That background has translated directly into timing windows that already look NFL-ready.
The production matches the narrative. Diggs delivered again in Week 11 with nine catches on 11 targets for 105 yards, according to the RotoBaller report published Thursday. It was his third game with 100 or more yards this season and his fifth straight week with at least ten PPR points. He also logged a season-best 69.7 percent snap share, which signals how important he has become to the structure of Alex Van Pelt’s offense. The Patriots have needed a stabilizer while Maye grows through real game volume, and Diggs has filled that role with veteran consistency. Maye pushed forward, connecting with Hollins, who snagged the ball mid-field for 17 yards; moments later, he flicked it to Diggs near the sideline, picking up 21 more.
At last, Maye found Henderson in the corner of the end zone for his initial catch-and-run score this game—and his third straight. The whole series moved quickly, only six snaps to cover 69 yards, with New England pushing their edge up to 21-7.
Maye completed throws into tight windows throughout the night, and several of those attempts went to Diggs on isolation looks. The Patriots’ staff has leaned into those matchups because Diggs continues to separate at break points. His route pacing and physical control on slants and deep outs have created safe targets for a rookie still learning how to navigate disguised pressures. That reliability is why Maye pointed to childhood familiarity. He knew what Diggs looked like on film long before throwing to him in live action.
Even Diggs can’t hold back his admiration for Maye, as he called him “the commander of offense” and added, “Sometimes I go the wrong way; I don’t do things perfectly, but he has the line of communication of being the quarterback, being the leader; he’s one of the pillars of the offense that keeps us in the right spot.”
The week also highlighted how New England is reshaping its identity. Mike Vrabel has emphasized the importance of more rhythm throws and tempo. Diggs gives that system a true WR1 who can keep drives on schedule. When a rookie quarterback has that, defensive reads become cleaner and entire playbooks open up.
Diggs appears to be unlocked again after being heavily used for the past month. The reaction was simple, the trust is real, and it is helping the Patriots look functional on offense for the first time all season.