Stefon Diggs, the accomplished wide receiver with four Pro Bowl appearances under his belt, has inked a deal with the New England Patriots. Announced on Tuesday, this three-year contract is valued at $69 million and guarantees an impressive $26 million, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Currently 31, Diggs encountered a setback last season with a season-ending ACL injury during Week 8 while playing for the Houston Texans. However, word has it from ESPN insiders that he’s poised for a return for the first week of the upcoming season.
Prior to his injury, Diggs was having quite a year. He was seventh in the NFL for receptions, tallying 47 catches, and was the second-highest in receiving yards for the Texans with 496. When Diggs was the target, quarterback C.J. Stroud boasted a stellar passer rating of 104, completing 73% of his throws.
The Patriots initially set their sights on Chris Godwin, aiming to secure him during free agency to provide a top-tier target for their second-year quarterback, Drake Maye. With Godwin choosing to stick with Tampa Bay, New England shifted gears and brought Diggs in for a visit last week, ultimately sealing the deal.
Diggs’ arrival bolsters a Pats receiving lineup that already includes newly signed Mack Hollins, seasoned player Kendrick Bourne, and third-year standouts Kayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas.
Having traded for Diggs last year from the Buffalo Bills, the Texans part ways with the receiver after restructuring his contract, which allowed him to hit free agency this year.
With the Bills, Diggs carved out an impressive record, becoming one of only four NFL players to achieve four consecutive seasons with over 100 receptions—joining the ranks of Antonio Brown, Davante Adams, and Marvin Harrison.
A fifth-round draft choice by the Minnesota Vikings back in 2015, Diggs has consistently proven his worth over 10 NFL seasons, amassing 857 catches, covering 10,491 yards, and scoring 71 touchdowns, 70 of which were through receiving.
This report also includes contributions from ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime and Mike Reiss.
