Jets Face Familiar Foe in Stefon Diggs, the Definition of NFL Consistency
If there’s one name that’s haunted the Jets’ secondary over the past few seasons, it’s Stefon Diggs. The veteran wideout has been a consistent problem for New York since arriving in the AFC East, and that trend hasn’t slowed down-even with a new uniform.
Diggs, now with the New England Patriots, has carved up the Jets defense time and again since being traded to the Buffalo Bills back in 2020. In 10 career games against Gang Green, he’s racked up 70 catches for 774 yards and three touchdowns.
That’s not just production-it’s control. And as the Jets prepare to face him once again, they’re still searching for that kind of week-in, week-out reliability from their own offensive playmakers.
Diggs Still Dominating, Now in a Different Jersey
Before he became a fixture in Buffalo’s high-powered offense, Diggs was already making noise in Minnesota. But it was in Western New York where he elevated his game to true superstar status-becoming not just a Pro Bowl talent, but a player capable of taking over games.
Now in New England, Diggs hasn’t lost a step. He’s still the same technician at the line of scrimmage, the same reliable route-runner, and the same ultra-competitive receiver who thrives against both zone and man coverage.
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn put it plainly: “He’s smart, he’s confident, he’s highly, highly competitive. He understands how to win in zone and man coverage.”
That kind of football IQ and competitive fire has defined Diggs’ career. And it’s why, even after more than a decade in the league, he continues to be a matchup nightmare.
The Jets' Cornerback Situation: A New Challenge
What makes this upcoming matchup even trickier for New York is the state of their secondary. After trading away All-Pro corner Sauce Gardner, the Jets no longer have a true shutdown presence on the outside. And the Patriots are well aware of that.
In their first meeting back in October, Diggs wasted no time taking advantage. He hauled in nine catches for 105 yards in a 27-14 Patriots win. Without a proven No. 1 corner, the Jets will need big games from Brandon Stephens and rookie Qwan’tez Stiggers if they want to avoid a repeat performance.
Diggs doesn’t need much space to make an impact, and if the Jets can’t disrupt his timing at the line or keep up with him downfield, it could be another long afternoon for the defense.
Garrett Wilson: A Star in the Making, Watching from the Sideline
Interestingly, the Jets do have a receiver on their roster who shares some of Diggs’ traits-Garrett Wilson. The former Ohio State standout has shown flashes of elite talent, and like Diggs, he’s managed to stay productive despite instability at the quarterback position.
But Wilson has been sidelined with a knee injury, forced to watch from the sidelines as Diggs continues to do what he’s done for years-get open, make plays, and rack up yards regardless of who’s throwing him the football.
That’s been one of the most impressive parts of Diggs’ career. Whether it was Sam Bradford, Case Keenum, Kirk Cousins, Josh Allen, or now Drake Maye, the production has never dipped. The quarterback changes, the system evolves, but Diggs remains the constant.
“He’s always been a high-level receiver in this League for a long time,” Glenn said. “When he was in Minnesota, to now, that doesn’t change.”
A Measuring Stick for the Jets
As the Jets gear up for another showdown with Diggs, there’s more at stake than just a divisional win. This is also a litmus test for a team still trying to find its identity-on both sides of the ball.
Can the secondary hold up without Gardner? Can the pass rush disrupt Maye enough to limit Diggs’ opportunities? And on offense, can someone step into the spotlight and give the Jets the kind of consistent production Diggs has delivered for over a decade?
Those are the questions New York will need to answer if they want to flip the script on a rivalry that’s been one-sided for far too long. Because when Diggs is on the field, history says he’s going to make an impact-and the Jets know that better than most.