The New England Patriots pulled off a statement win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16, and one of the biggest reasons why was the veteran presence of Stefon Diggs. The wideout turned in a vintage performance, hauling in nine catches for 138 yards - leading all receivers on the day and reminding everyone why New England made a big bet on him this past offseason.
When the Patriots inked Diggs to a three-year, $69 million deal in free agency, there were plenty of raised eyebrows. At 31 and coming off a dip in production late last season, some wondered if his best days were behind him. But through 15 games, Diggs has proven to be exactly what this Patriots offense needed - a reliable, explosive, and clutch target for rookie quarterback Drake Maye.
So far this season, Diggs has totaled 76 receptions for 869 yards and three touchdowns. And now, with just two games left, he’s closing in on a milestone that’s been elusive in Foxborough: 1,000 receiving yards. He needs just 131 more to hit that mark - something no Patriots wide receiver has done since Julian Edelman back in 2019.
That’s not just a stat. It’s a reflection of how much this offense has struggled to find a true No. 1 option in recent years.
And while Diggs may not be putting up the same gaudy numbers he did during his peak years in Buffalo, his impact in New England is undeniable. He’s become Maye’s safety valve - the guy he looks to when the play breaks down or when the moment calls for a big conversion.
This isn’t an offense designed to feed one receiver 12 targets a game. It’s built around Maye’s ability to read the field and distribute the ball where it needs to go.
But even in that system, Diggs has consistently emerged as the go-to guy when it matters most. Whether it’s converting third downs, stretching the field, or drawing coverage to open things up for others, he’s been doing the heavy lifting.
And the timing of his resurgence couldn’t be better. With a pivotal Week 17 matchup against the New York Jets on deck, the Patriots are still fighting to finish the season strong, and Diggs will once again be a key piece of the puzzle. If he can keep this momentum rolling, that 1,000-yard milestone is well within reach - and it would be a fitting capstone to a season where he’s reestablished himself as a top-tier weapon in a new uniform.
For a team that’s spent the past few years searching for answers at wide receiver, Diggs has delivered more than just numbers. He’s brought leadership, consistency, and a sense of trust between quarterback and receiver that’s been missing in Foxborough. And if the Patriots are going to build something sustainable around Maye, having a veteran like Diggs leading the way is a pretty good place to start.