An Open Letter to Stefon Diggs: Questions Heading Into Week 6

Dear Stefon Diggs,

When you signed with the Patriots, I had my doubts. Our fan base was divided, with half believing that we would finally have a true #1 wide receiver, and the other half thinking you were a thing of the past. While I did think that your best days were behind you, I had hope that you would play a role in the development of Drake Maye into the quarterback I knew he could be. 

The Patriots retooled the offense this offseason to surround Maye with talent, and you were the biggest acquisition towards that goal. We all saw how you converted Josh Allen from one of the most inconsistent quarterbacks in the league to a perennial MVP candidate, and now you were tasked with doing the same for Drake. Your slow start to the season was expected, given that you were coming off one of the worst injuries in football. I held the belief that you would break out, and I was rewarded against Carolina and especially against Buffalo. Your performance against the Bills has convinced me that you have plenty left in the tank, and I am ecstatic that Drake Maye finally has a #1 option.

With hopes high and the Patriots rising in the power rankings after your incredible performance, there are some questions I’d love to ask you about your future and your role with the team:

1. What clicked between you and Maye against the Panthers, and again against the Bills?

2. Where do you feel like your performance against Buffalo stacks up with your other career-best games?

3. What do you think made you so untacklable after the catch against Buffalo?

I was already excited about your contributions to the team against the Panthers, which I outlined in my Week 4 Article. With that said, the Buffalo game was one of the most dominant performances by a receiver I have seen. Every single play, it seemed like you were in the perfect position to catch the ball and make a move. You led all receivers in Yards After Catch and made quick route adjustments that led to huge plays, like the throw down the right sideline to give us first-and-goal. This culminated in a 146-yard performance, and you became the first Patriots receiver since Julian Edelman to have back-to-back 100-yard receiving weeks. It was amazing to watch, and it led me to more questions about how the performance came to be:

4. In your pregame interview with Melissa Stark, you explained your nostalgia for your time in Buffalo and how much love you had for the fans. Many reporters had tried to paint the contest as a “revenge game” going into it. How did you maintain such a positive outlook on the game, and how do you believe that mindset contributed to your performance?

5. It looked like you and your quarterback were on the same page at all times during the game, especially when players went off-script. How do you develop that type of chemistry in such a short period of time, especially after missing some of training camp?

6. Your pregame speech to the team was one of the most inspiring I’ve seen. Have you always seen yourself as a leader who can motivate a group, or is there someone that you’ve taken inspiration from in that regard?

The media will always try to paint narratives about what a team and a departed player think of each other. Nobody truly knows the story except the organization and the player themselves, and you showed that on Sunday. Yes, it seemed to mean more to you because it was your former team, but you showed nothing but love to the city and its fans in Buffalo. In return, I didn’t hear any boos echoing from the crowd: just cheers and support.

Regarding the connection with Maye, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing while watching the game. You were attacking every ball, adjusting to every catch, and getting to positions where you were the only player with a chance at catching the ball. It was a truly remarkable performance, and I’m so excited about how this connection will continue to grow moving forward. I want to know your thoughts on where you can go from here:

7. The Patriots now sit at 3-2 in a season that most saw as the final year of a rebuild. Now, you have proven as a team that you can beat the best in the league. What is the feeling around the facilities? Do you believe that you can make a run at the Super Bowl this year, and how do you plan to inspire the team to make that dream a reality?

No city knows championships like Boston, Massachusetts. After decades of dominance, followed by a five-year slump, things are finally looking up for the Patriots. Your addition to the team, along with the contributions of free-agent signings and drafted players, has made the team more exciting than it has been since Tom Brady left. I’d see a playoff berth as a huge success this season, but I have a feeling that you and the guys want more than that. 

I hope that you continue to put the league on notice and continue to lead our guys with the passion and maturity that I have witnessed. 

Sincerely,

Alex Percey

Patriots Writer, Fan Feed Network