Diggs admits to ‘adjusting’ to varying playing time with Patriots

New England Patriots

“I’m adjusting to it. Like, I just try to do what I’m asked, and then handle it the best way I can.”

Stefon Diggs has held court as one of the NFL’s top wide receivers for close to a decade — earning two All-Pro nods and four Pro Bowl selections over the course of his career.

The 32-year-old wideout has been Drake Maye’s top target in his first season in Foxborough, leading all Patriots players in targets (83), receptions (67), and receiving yards (731). 

But Diggs has also seen his reps vary from game to game with New England. Look no further than Sunday’s home loss to the Bills, with the veteran playing in 26 out a possible 52 snaps against his former team. 

Diggs finished Sunday’s loss with just three catches on four targets for 26 yards, and has reeled in just eight combined catches for 72 total yards in New England’s last three games.

There’s a fairly easy correlation between reps and production for Diggs, who posted nine catches for 105 yards in a win over the Jets in Week 11 — a game where he was on the field for 46 out of a possible 66 snaps. 

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday at Gillette Stadium, Diggs was asked about how he’s handled the fluctuating playing time so far this season. 

“[Expletive], I don’t know,” Diggs said. “For real, like, just trying to get used to it. I mean, you know, it kind of was the same kind of in the beginning of the year, too. I just try to take advantage of the opportunities I do get. And when I am out there, be a vessel. Be a positive force, rather than, you know, being any other way.   

“I’m adjusting to it. Like, I just try to do what I’m asked, and then handle it the best way I can. You know, I always want to be out there. I want to make plays, and I want to play at a high level. But we’ve got a lot of skill guys. We got a lot of amazing players. I’m just doing what I can.”

Diggs was asked if he would like to be more involved in the offense moving forward.

“Hey, man,” he said, “that’s up to y’all.”

The Patriots have shared the wealth this season when it comes to the team’s pass-catchers. Even though Diggs leads the club in targets, catches, and receiving yards, there are six different players on New England’s roster who have reeled in at least 25 catches from Maye so far this season.

Even with Diggs’ body of work, New England might also be monitoring the veteran’s workload down the stretch, especially with the star receiver just a year removed from suffering an ACL injury during the 2024 season. 

Despite his previous injuries, Diggs stressed that he is no worse for wear as the Patriots head into the final weeks of the 2025 regular season. 

“I’m great. I feel great. I ain’t got no issues,” Diggs said. “I’ve been feeling pretty good, actually. And we got that bye week, so I feel ready to fly around.”

As New England looks to right the ship on Sunday night against the Ravens, monitoring Diggs’ snap count bears watching as Josh McDaniels and Co. try to spark the Patriots’ passing game. 

 

Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.