The NFL has seen two different sides of New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs over the past few weeks.
Over Memorial Day weekend, people saw the carefree (and maybe even reckless) side of Diggs while a controversial video of him partying on a boat surfaced on social media. Yesterday, head coach Mike Vrabel and quarterback Drake Maye described Diggs as dedicated, engaged, and an "awesome teammate."
That raises the question: Will the Diggs experiment work in New England, or will it go up in flames?
Analysts on NFL Network's "Good Morning Football" show talked about Diggs at length on Tuesday, offering contrasting takes on what is to come during his time with the Patriots.
Isaiah Stanback said the Patriots are asking a lot out of Diggs in his first season after suffering a severe injury, but he believes Diggs will serve as a vocal leader on and off the field.
"We've always talked about Stefon Diggs' ability to make plays. Prior to him tearing his ACL, he was on track for a 1,000-yard season with the Texans. He was doing good things with C.J. Stroud," Stanback said. "Now, he has to go out there and learn a whole new system, get healthy, and then, be productive in that meeting room, as well."
New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) does a catching drill with a training aid during minicamp at Gillette Stadium.
New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) does a catching drill with a training aid during minicamp at Gillette Stadium.
Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Kyle Brandt anticipates that, even though Diggs' charismatic personality may mend some early strains in his relationship with the Patriots, it will eventually end poorly, much like it did with the Buffalo Bills. Until that point, though, Diggs will have a positive impact on the team because of his ability to develop young quarterbacks, Brandt said.
"Josh Allen was a reckless, out-of-control gunslinger. Stef shows up in the COVID season and turns Allen into a prolific player... He was doing the exact same thing last year for Stroud," Brandt said. "I genuinely think that, for his flaws as a person, whatever they may be, he is really good at taking young, talented quarterbacks and saying, 'I'm going to be open. Get me the ball.' And they do."
Matthew Hatchette, however, served as the contrarian in the debate, arguing that Diggs may not live up to expectations in Foxborough because he does not have a similar drive to up-and-coming receivers looking to prove themselves in the league.
"Right now, he's like 'I've done all that, so I'm living my best life, enjoying being an NFL receiver.' I don't know if that helps the team because, this team, they need a Pro Bowl, All-Pro kind of guy," Hatchette said. "If he's not top five in the NFL this year, then that offense is going to be very stagnant... They need 1,500 yards. They need 15 touchdowns. I don't see that happening in New England in that offense."
Diggs signed a three-year, $63.5 million contract with the Patriots during the offseason. He is entering his 11th season in the NFL, following previous stints with the Minnesota Vikings (2015-2019), Bills (2020-2023) and Texans (2024).