Diggs: ACL, 1,000-yard history affected Pats deal

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs says he took just one free agent visit -- to the New England Patriots -- before officially signing his three-year contract with the team Friday.

"I was considering a couple other places, but that's all in the past now," Diggs said at Gillette Stadium.

Diggs' contract is worth $69 million, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter, which is the range the wide receiver said he expected in terms of average per season, in part because he is coming off a torn ACL in his right knee sustained Oct. 27 while playing for the Houston Texans.

"I kind of figured [the contract] was going to be around that area, considering I'm coming off the injury, but also the fact that I'm one of the only receivers that had six 1,000-yard seasons consecutively [prior to the injury]," he said. "The production, it's always been here. I can move the chains. I can do intermediate. I can go deep. I did that all throughout my career. My résumé probably speaks for itself, but it was more so the injury that would deter or make the money is what it is.

"I look at it definitely as an opportunity. What could've been, could've been. At this point I am where I am, and I'm thankful."

Diggs, 31, was introduced by the team Friday and was joined by his mother, Stephanie, who sat in the front row as he answered questions from reporters.

He stopped short of setting a timetable for when he will be ready to practice but sounded encouraged with how his knee has responded.

"I'm ahead of schedule. I'm trying to stay ahead of schedule," he said. "I've been pretty serious about the grind process, as far as the rehab and everything."

Diggs said he has had only brief contact with second-year quarterback Drake Maye but is eager to begin developing a rapport with him, similar to how he did with Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen from 2020 to 2023.

"It's crazy because, when you ask around, people say he acts a lot like Josh. And you know, that was my guy," Diggs said. "We played him last year, and he showed a lot of fight. He has that fiery quarterback, 'I want to win' mindset. So that's something I get excited about and love to be around."

Patriots coach Mike Vrabel told the "Green Light" podcast, hosted by former NFL player Chris Long, that signing Diggs was a move made with Maye in mind.

"Just trying to make sure we're supporting Drake and supporting the football team," Vrabel said. "This is a highly competitive, confident receiver that's produced throughout his career and multiple ways. He's got a play strength to him. He can play physical, [has] route craft, good at the catch point, has been good in the red zone. There's a play style to him that I've always appreciated. ... His conversation, his demeanor, his attitude and his presence have been great through our conversations."