The New England Patriots WR Stefon Diggs has always been one of the NFL’s most talked–about wide receivers since his induction in the league, but his journey in New England has quickly become one of the league’s biggest storylines. Just a day after making a personal announcement about his girlfriend Cardi B’s pregnancy that turned heads off the field on Wednesday, Diggs is back in focus for what he does best- football. And his latest message to fans and teammates is clear when he was asked about playing with young quarterback Drake Maye.
When the Patriots brought in Diggs during free agency on March 26, 2025, they weren’t just adding a big–name star. They were reshaping an offense that had been searching for stability and identity. And with the Patriots’ offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels’, return to New England after three years, the situation feels even more intriguing. The pairing of a disciplined coordinator and a high–profile receiver raised immediate questions: Could Diggs thrive in a system built on precision, timing, and execution rather than improvisation?
Now, Diggs is answering that question with a grounded approach. Instead of promising flashy numbers or bold declarations, he has emphasized sticking to the basics of McDaniels’ system. As the Patriots beat reporter, Carlos A. Lopez reported on X, Stefon Diggs has cleared the air about his strategy moving forward with Drake Maye and DC Josh McDaniels. When asked about “finding success in Josh McDaniels’ offense”, the four-time Pro Bowler said, “I’m just tryna do what I’m asked and be consistent. Having a young quarterback that can ball — I’m tryna be in the right spot for him. Gaining that confidence throughout games… it’s gonna pay off.”
Why Stefon Diggs’ “Simple” Strategy Matters in Josh McDaniels’ System?
Josh McDaniels’ playbook has never been known as easy. It’s layered, detail–oriented, and demands receivers to adjust routes mid–play depending on coverages. Before taking the job in 2025, he had been with the Patriots for a staggering 17 years.
Per the New England Patriots’ official website, “The longtime offensive coordinator is a highly versatile schemer who is excellent at attacking opponents’ tendencies. McDaniels was a pioneer in the formation and up-tempo revolutions. He’s also known for being excellent at designing sound pass protections, marrying a downhill gap run scheme with play-action passes. He is great at play sequencing and building in complementary designs to protect his staple concepts. McDaniels runs a schematically sound system. Not just a collection of plays.”
The veterans have called it one of the toughest offenses to learn. And for a receiver like Diggs, that complexity could easily feel like a burden. But by keeping things simple and focusing on communication, alignment, and timing, Diggs is giving himself a smoother transition. He doesn’t need to reinvent his game to fit McDaniels’ scheme. Instead, he needs to rely on what has always made him elite: crisp execution and the ability to read defenses faster.
This approach may also help his chemistry with the Patriots’ quarterback. Last season, New England’s starter, Drake Maye, posted modest numbers. He posted 2276 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and threw 10 interceptions while maintaining a good (66.6%) completion percentage. These stats underline the need for a dependable, veteran target who can create separation and extend drives. Diggs could bring that solution.
Over the past five seasons in Buffalo and Houston, he averaged 98.4 catches, 1173.6 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns per year. In 2020, his first season with the Bills, he led the NFL in both receptions (127) and yards (1,535). Even in 2023, when his targets dipped slightly, he still managed 107 receptions for 1,183 yards and eight touchdowns. But the Bills traded Diggs to the Houston Texans on April 3, 2024, in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick (via the Minnesota Vikings).
Though he also faced an injury in the 2024 season, which ended his season, he managed to convince head coach Mike Vrabel that the juice of excellence is still there. Diggs suffered a noncontact knee injury (ACL tear) in Week 8’s win over the Colts and did not return to share the gridiron with QB C.J. Stroud.
But his consistency did not drop rare in today’s NFL. Few receivers have matched Diggs’ ability to deliver 1,000-yard seasons year after year. From 2018 to 2023, when Diggs played 15 to 17 regular-season games, he was trusted with 887 targets by QBs. And even fewer wide receivers have combined route precision with the explosiveness to flip a game in a single play. For the Patriots, those numbers represent more than talent. Those numbers represent reliability.
But while Diggs is busy planning how he can help the Patriots bring back the Super Bowl dynasty again, he did not miss the opportunity to turn heads on Wednesday.
Stefon Diggs and Cardi B Shared Big News
Diggs’ personal announcement added another layer to his 2025 storyline. While some players might find that kind of spotlight distracting, Diggs could use it as motivation. Cardi B revealed on CBS Mornings on September 17, 2025, that she is pregnant with her fourth child. Reportedly, this will be her first baby with Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs. She said the baby is due before her ‘Little Miss Drama’ tour starts in February 2026. Cardi described herself as “strong,” “happy,” and “very powerful” while balancing the pregnancy with an album launch and tour plans.
Cardi B and Diggs were first linked in October 2024. They went public in June 2025 through social media and appearances together, per People.com. Cardi had filed for divorce from her ex-husband, Offset, in July 2024. Today, Diggs is her boyfriend, not her husband. There has been no indication of marriage between them.
Stefon Diggs’ personal announcement grabbed attention, but his football message is the one that could define his time in New England. By keeping his strategy simple, he’s aligning himself with Josh McDaniels’ vision and giving the Patriots exactly what they need. Stability, focus, and a receiver ready to deliver in the moments that matter most. That’s all that matters now.