Drake Maye Explains How Coach Josh McDaniels Has Challenged Stefon Diggs
When the New England Patriots signed Stefon Diggs to a three-year, $69 million contract in March, there were some risk factors in play. For starters, the WR was coming off a torn right ACL he suffered midway through the 2024 season in Houston.
At 31, no one knew if he could still produce as a true No. 1 option. Add to that his offseason yacht videos with Cardi B, which led to drug rumors
But four games into the 2025 season, Diggs is slowly dismantling those doubts. Against the Carolina Panthers in Week 4, he crossed the 100-yard receiving mark (6 catches, 101 yards) for the first time in nearly two years.
He also leads the Patriots with 19 receptions for 213 yards, reminding the league why he’s one of the most productive receivers of the past decade.
But for Diggs’ teammate and quarterback
“First and foremost, it’s the energy [Doggs] brings. He’s talking to the huddle before games, talking to the team in the locker room. He just brings great juice and a respect for what he’s done in this league and in big games,”
According to Maye, it’s McDaniels’ decision to expand Diggs’ role that has helped him evolve further: “He’s probably getting moved around more than he’s ever had in his career,”
“I know in the past he’s been in the position where he’s backside, playing X, and you give him the ball and let him win a one-on-one. Coach McDaniels has kind of challenged him to move … play in the slot, play outside, play all the different positions. He’s starting to get more comfortable learning the offense, learning the concepts, and it’s only gonna help us grow more throughout the season,”
Maye even admitted he’s missed Diggs on a few looks already, believing the veteran could have had “more yards” if not for those miscues. That’s a sign of the quarterback’s trust in just how reliable his top target has become.
Diggs, for his part, has embraced the grind, describing the Panthers game as a “turn the corner” day and insisting he wants to “scrape the plate” by maximizing every opportunity.
So, to sum it up, it looks like the questions that once surrounded Diggs’ contract and health are fading fast.
Between McDaniels’ creativity, Maye’s growing chemistry, and Diggs’ own determination, the Patriots may have found the formula to bring the best out of a receiver many doubted could still deliver. The only thing HC Mike Vrabel would now be hoping for is to see the positives translate into consistent success.
Cowboys Micah Parsons Mock Trade Yields Massive Draft Haul
How concerned Cowboys fans are about the current state of play between the team and star defensive end Micah Parsons is likely directly related to how they feel about the following questions: We have seen this movie before, and we know how it is going to end, right?
Parsons is holding out for a new contract, of course, and should be paid like one of the top defensive players in the league. Fair to say that he could very well set a new record on that, possibly hitting around $45 million annually.
The Cowboys move at a glacial pace when giving out that kind of money. Dallas waited until the end of August to finally pay receiver CeeDee Lamb last summer, giving him a top-of-the-market deal worth $136 million over four years. The Cowboys signed quarterback Dak Prescott on the morning of the season opener in September 2024, for four years and $240 million, also top of the market.
When it comes to Parsons, we’ve seen this movie before, right?
Micah Parsons Taking Things Personally
Probably. But not necessarily, which is why there is more concern over this situation.
The fact that the Cowboys put their stars through this wringer could mean that, eventually, one of them takes a stand and refuses to sign. Parsons could be the one to make that stand. As ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted on Monday, there is a “personal” aspect to the Parsons situation that separates it from Prescott and Lamb.
Parsons thought he was close with owner Jerry Jones. But in the end, Jones has treated him like a head of cattle, questioning Parsons’ value after he was injured last year and attempting to circumvent Parsons’ agent in negotiations. There’s a bit of betrayal there, from Parsons’ perspective.
Gobs of money tend to make players overlook personal betrayal. But Parsons wears his emotions and his fealty on his sleeve–he might be different than most players, and might be willing to actually take Jones on until he forces a trade.
Cowboys Add 3 1st-Rounders
If that’s the case, there is likely no team better positioned to give the Cowboys a huge haul than the New England Patriots, a team that sees itself on the rise. GM Eliot Wolf said on Monday he would be willing to part with top future draft picks to secure top-level talent now.
And so the Heavy trade proposal is a simple one, even with massive implications.
Patriots: Micah Parsons
Cowboys: 3 first-round picks
Losing Parsons stings, but three first-rounders would be an impressive return:
“New England is rebuilding from scratch with a new head coach in 2025 (Mike Vrabel) and a second-year QB who was a top-3 pick (Drake Maye). The Patriots had a solid draft, likely picking up two long-term starters on the offensive line. New England also took a big swing in free agency with Stefon Diggs.
“The team still has nearly $60 million in cap space and can absorb Parsons easily moving forward. Three first-round picks is a little more than the Bears are giving up, but the Patriots play in a much weaker division and profile as the most likely team to just five-plus wins in 2025. Adding Parsons would likely increase that win total projection and the odds of hitting it, thus driving down the value of New England’s first-round selections moving forward as the franchise rebuilds back into a perennial contender.”
