The New England Patriots have secured their top wide receiver, signing former Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans standout star to a three-year, $69 million deal on Tuesday.
While some believe the price is steep for a 31-year-old recovering from an ACL tear, he could prove to be a valuable addition to his former AFC East rivals—provided he can regain the form he displayed in Houston, where he was on pace for another 1,000-yard season before his injury.
Speaking on the Green Light podcast with Chris Long, head coach Mike Vrabel explained the reasoning behind the team’s decision to invest in the two-time All-Pro receiver.
“We wanted to make sure we’re supporting Drake and the entire team,” Vrabel told Long. “He’s a highly competitive, confident receiver who has been productive throughout his career in multiple ways. His play style is physical, he’s strong at the catch point, skilled in route running, and effective in the red zone.”
“There’s a certain play style he brings that I’ve always admired, and we want to continue building on that,” Vrabel added. “His attitude, conversations, and overall presence have been great, and we hope to keep adding talented players to the roster.”
Vrabel Confident In Addition Of Diggs To Patriots Team
Aside from questions about his hefty contract, concerns have been raised about Diggs’ reputation, as his perceived “diva” personality has followed him throughout his NFL career.
However, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, most people who have worked with the former Bills receiver don’t just like him—they genuinely love him.
Breer’s sources acknowledged that while Diggs’ competitive nature is one of his greatest strengths, it has also occasionally worked against him when his emotions got the better of him.
Will Diggs Be A Good Addition To The Patriots?
Some in the media argue that while adding a veteran receiver like Diggs has its advantages, his unpredictable personality could ultimately harm a young, rebuilding team rather than help it.
As Drake Maye enters his second year, securing a top-tier weapon for the promising young quarterback was a priority for the Patriots. Despite showing real potential as a rookie, Maye played in one of the most challenging offensive setups for a first-year quarterback in recent memory.
Had the Patriots held an earlier draft pick, they might have been less inclined to pursue Diggs, as they would have had full control over selecting a player like Travis Hunter, a dual-threat cornerback and wide receiver. However, with the team picking at No. 4, there is a real possibility Hunter will be off the board, leaving them to choose between the draft’s top offensive tackles—Missouri’s Armand Membou or LSU’s Will Campbell.
With no guarantees in the draft and reports suggesting Diggs’ recovery is ahead of schedule, he could prove to be the kind of elite target that accelerates Maye’s development and helps push the Patriots back into contention.
