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Mike Reiss
Foxborough, Massachusetts. Until now in the low season, New England patriots had not done enough to support the Drake Maye Marshal.
That changed great on Tuesday night.
When they agreed with the veteran receiver Stefon Diggs in a three -year contract and $ 69 million with $ 26 million guaranteed, the Patriots made a decisive movement to give Maye, their second -year franchise field marshal, which lacked last season, a recipient of passes No. 1 that wins with the ability of the elite route.
Diggs, 31, could not be what it once was, since he works to return from an acl torn in his right knee suffered on October 27. But it is immediately the best that Patriots, a competitor and a decent risk for the team to take. Diggs rehabilitation is ongoing, and is expected to be ready for week 1, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Consider that the Patriots receptors occupied the 28th place in the NFL last season with 161 trapped and 10 touchdowns and last with 1,723 reception yards and 78 first attempts (tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers).
And until this point this low season, his only addition to address the position was to sign Mack Hollins for a two -year agreement and $ 8.4 million. 6 -foot 4 -inch and 221 pounds can help, but really give the opportunity to rise to the upper level, and maximize what they have in Maye in their rookie contract and with Josh McDaniels returning as an offensive coordinator, the Patriots had to be bolder.
This does. Before the injury ended its 2024 season before, Diggs had a streak of six consecutive seasons of 1,000 yards. Patriots have not had a 1,000 -yard receptor from Julian Edelman in 2019.
If someone knew how dangerous, Diggs, previously a member of the Rival AFC Bows Bows, may be, are the Patriots. The 61 Captures of Diggs against New England are tied at their maximum opponent in their career, while its 779 yards and eight touchdowns received are its second more against any opponent.
The reaction of the Patriots players on social networks, such as the corner Christian González and the veteran receiver Kendrick Bourne, spoke a lot about the respect he obtains.
In Houston last season, Cj Stud Campo Marshal was excited about Diggs, saying: “He has not been surprising for this team and for his teammates. He has helped me a lot.” In January, Stoud had expressed his hope that Diggs could return to the Texans in 2025.
The way in which the Maye-Diggs combination grows together will be one of the most convincing stories of the Patriots. When the two began to follow us on Instagram this week, he provided a public vision of their steps to begin to form a link.
The pairing was weeks in process.
When the legal negotiation period of free agency began on March 10, the Patriots were offering a lot of money to the receiver Chris Godwin, who took less to return to the Buccaneers of Tampa Bay. The Patriots considered the exchange of DK Metcalf, who ended up going to the Steelers. Then they passed by the veteran Cooper Kupp, who later signed with the Seattle Seahawks. The high -end options were decreasing (Amari Cooper, Keenan Allen, etc.).
Diggs and Patriots seem a perfect combination. DIGGS obtains a great money contract that was unlikely to come from another team based on his return from an injury. The Patriots had an obvious need and money to spend.
There is more to do, sure. The left side of the offensive line remains a concern and will probably be treated in the draft.
But this has the potential to change the game in New England, with Maye the main beneficiary.
