Stefon Diggs hit an impressive milestone in Sunday’s win over the Miami Dolphins, hitting the 1,000-yard mark for the seventh time in his career.
He’s no stranger to accomplishing this, but this one meant a lot more. And that’s because of all the work he had to do to return after suffering a torn ACL during the 2024 season.
“People see all the hard work you put in and the daily struggles that people have. People go through (expletive) – the ups and downs,” Diggs told reporters. “I kept grinding, stayed focused. To hit another 1,000 yards, I’ve done it before, but this is probably the most meaningful one I’ve ever had. Just because coming off of injury.”
The Patriots signed the veteran receiver to a 3-year, $69 million contract this offseason, but there was some uncertainty about whether he could come back at the same level he was playing at before.
“People just don’t know, coming off an ACL (injury) and getting your confidence back, being around the right people, they’re pushing you every day,” Diggs stated. “I’m so thankful God is good, God is amazing. I’m going to enjoy this.”
Stefon Diggs’ 1,000 Yard Season Came With An Added Bonus
GettyStefon Diggs of the New England Patriots
With a 34-yard reception from Drake Maye in Sunday’s win over the Dolphins, Diggs went over 1,000 yards this season, and with that, he became the first Patriots pass catcher to hit the 1,000-yard milestone since Julian Edelman in 2019.
And for hitting this milestone, Diggs also got a $500,000 incentive.
Drake Maye Has High Praise For Stefon Diggs Following a 1,000-Yard Season
GettyNew England Patriots QB Drake Maye and WR Stefon Diggs
After the game, Maye reflected on Diggs’ impressive comeback from his ACL injury, even sharing that he was surprised the veteran attended a session he set up in the offseason.
“Yeah, first off, credit to Stef for his ability to bounce back and heal up from an injury like that in such a short period of time,” the quarterback said. “Really, since the first time I met him and I got the receivers together in the offseason, I invited him thinking, ‘Okay, we’ll see, who knows — Stef is big time — if he’ll show up,’ and he showed up and was running routes back home in North Carolina. From that point on, I felt like, ‘Man, I’m looking forward to getting with him on the field and seeing him do his thing, and he’s done his thing time and time again.”
But what has truly stood out to Maye is Diggs’ team-first mentality.
“Some games, he’s not getting the ball as much as any receiver would want to, and he’s still trying to block hard, keeping the energy up, breaking the team down and motivating me,” Maye added. “He’s meant the world to me, and I appreciate every time I go out there with him and a player like him. I just don’t take that for granted. I’m looking forward to seeing him in playoff football.
Patriots’ Stefon Diggs Calls Latest Milestone the Most Meaningful