On March 26, the New England Patriots made a significant move to help their offense by signing veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs to a three-year $69 million deal which includes $18.5 million guaranteed. The Patriots hope this investment will help provide stability and leadership to their young offensive lineup. 

Stefon Diggs —a four-time Pro Bowl selection — is known as one of the NFL's best wide receivers, playing for the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills throughout his career. He has routinely showcased his quick and strategic route-running; fast, reliable hands and his ability to work well under pressure, making plays in the most critical moments. His time with the Bills was particularly notable, and in 2020, he led the league with 127 receptions, 1535 yards and eight touchdowns. 

In 2024, Diggs was traded from the Bills to  the Texans, where he continued to be a leader in the National Football League. Even though his season was unfortunately cut short due to a torn ACL he suffered in Week 8, he led the team with nine targets, five receptions and 81 receiving yards, asserting his dominance. 

Contract Details 

The Patriots offered Diggs $69 million over three years with a base value at $63.5 million, and incentives making up the rest. Interestingly, the contract allows the Patriots to opt out after each season, which minimizes their financial risk. In his first year, the 2025 season, Diggs is set to earn $18.5 million, with a $12.0 million fully guaranteed signing bonus and a $2.9 million guaranteed base salary with $3.4 million in per-game roster bonuses. If he stays with the Patriots, he could earn up to $22.5 million in compensation in 2026 and 2027, with a $20.6 million base salary yearly. If he wins the Pro Bowl, he will earn $500,000 in bonuses and $200,000 in workout bonuses for every season of his contract. While complicated, this makes sense for the Patriots because after his ACL injury, no one knows how he will play, and this structure allows the team to assess Diggs' recovery and performance before long-term commitment.​

Recent years for the Patriots

​The New England Patriots have faced a challenging couple of years, and most recently in the 2024 NFL season, they finished with a 4–13 record and placed last in the AFC East division for the second consecutive year. Throughout the 2024 season, the Patriots faced difficulties on both sides of the ball. A significant change occurred in the coaching staff before the season commenced. Longtime head coach Bill Belichick and the Patriots mutually agreed to part ways on Jan. 11, 2024. Jerod Mayo, who was the linebackers’ coach, was promoted to head coach, becoming the 15th in franchise history. Despite his previous success as a player and assistant coach, Mayo's inaugural season had many challenges, leading to his dismissal after the season commenced.

Impact 

The Patriots hope Stefon Diggs will provide them with a number-one wide receiver. In their recent seasons, through coaching changes and quarterback changes, the team has lacked consistency, and especially for a young quarterback like Drake Maye, an experienced and high-quality target will certainly help lead to success. 

Considerations 

While signing Stefon Diggs certainly looks promising, there are still a few things to consider. Diggs is recovering from a torn ACL sustained in October 2024. While reports indicate he is expected to fully recover and play during week 1, leg injuries commonly change the longevity of careers. At 31, Diggs is on the older side for players in his position, or any position in the NFL. While his skill set appears sharp, his injury and age may prevent him from being the force seen in recent years. Another thing to remember is his integration with the rest of the team. Because he will be a veteran on this team and bring experience, it may prevent Drake Maye from becoming the young leader on the team. On the other hand, an experienced player like Diggs could give Maye the confidence to excel in the NFL, learning from an older face in the franchise. Only time will tell.