The new-look New England Patriots will be in for a tough season opener. Fortunately, it seems like they will have one of their primary reinforcements on the field when they host the Las Vegas Raiders.
According to head coach Mike Vrabel, it would be a surprise if Stefon Diggs wasn't out there for the season opener.
“I would imagine, as of today, he’ll be out there,” the head coach said in his weekly appearance on WEEI's "The Greg Hill Show," according to Doug Kyed.
Vrabel on Stefon Diggs' Week 1 status: "As of today, he’ll be out there.”
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) September 2, 2025
Stefon Diggs Is The Ultimate Low-Risk/High-Reward Pickup
A couple of years ago, it seemed like Diggs was a player in the decline. He wasn't a factor in the second half of his final season with the Buffalo Bills, and given his character issues, it wasn't much of a surprise to see the team cut ties with him.
Then, he proved that he still had plenty left in the tank by hauling in 47 receptions for 496 yards, three touchdowns, and one rushing touchdown in half a season with the Houston Texans before suffering a season-ending ACL injury.
His age, volatile character, and recent injury made him a risky pickup for Eliot Wolf's regime, and he wasn't the team's first choice. Then, the media feasted on his July 4 clip.
However, at the end of the day, Drake Maye needs weapons, and Diggs can be the type of pickup that will elevate him and this offense to the next level. He's never been a burner or someone who thrives off athleticism alone, so even if he lost a step with time and his injury, his sharp route-running skills and steady hands should help him make an impact.
He's been a full participant in practice and shouldn't be limited in any capacity for the season opener, and while expecting him to lead the league in receiving yards again might be a little too much at this point in his career, he's still someone who has routinely showed that he can top the 1,000-yard mark with ease; he's done it six times in a row and was on pace to do it again last season.
And if things don't work out for whatever reason, the Patriots can pull the plug on him after one year, as his $6 million salary for 2026 will only be guaranteed if he's on the roster at the beginning of the season. It looked like a risky move at first, but signing him was a big win by the front office.