Stefon Diggs: A New Chapter for the Patriots
Stefon Diggs, the talented wide receiver, recently made headlines when he missed a voluntary team practice. This absence followed a social media video showing him on a boat, which stirred up some discussions. Patriots coach Mike Vrabel commented on the matter, saying, "We’re aware of it, and we want our players to make smart choices."
Diggs, now 31, signed a hefty three-year, $69 million contract with the Patriots in March. He’s currently recovering from a torn ACL injury suffered last season while playing for the Houston Texans. Despite his injury, he attended some team practices last week, signaling his commitment to returning to peak form. Vrabel expressed confidence in Diggs, stating that they are working hard to get him ready to play.
The Patriots are counting on Diggs to boost a receiving group that struggled during the last season. The team’s receivers finished last in the NFL with only 1,723 receiving yards. In contrast, Diggs has a history of success, with six consecutive seasons of over 1,000 receiving yards prior to his injury. Before the setback, he was performing well, ranked seventh in the NFL for catches and second on the Texans for receiving yards.
Additionally, the Patriots have a competitive roster with players like veteran Mack Hollins and promising talents like DeMario Douglas and Kyle Williams. They will all vie for positions on the depth chart, making the upcoming season particularly intriguing.
A recent study by the NFL revealed that teams with a star receiver average 20% more yards per game. This statistic underlines the vital role Diggs could play for the Patriots. In the past few years, the team has missed having a standout receiver since Julian Edelman achieved the 1,000-yard mark in 2019.
As fans eagerly await the new season, they are excited to see if Diggs can regain his form and help the Patriots’ offense flourish again. The pressure is on, but with Diggs in the lineup, there’s hope for brighter days ahead in Foxborough.