Stefon Diggs, the New England Patriots’ new wide receiver, found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons over Memorial Day Weekend. A video went viral showing Diggs on a boat, chatting with multiple women, but it was what happened around the 15-second mark that raised eyebrows. Diggs handed one of the women a small bag containing an unidentified pink substance, all while asking, “What’s my name? What’s my name? Do I make it happen?… Don’t take all of them. Ya’ll go have fun and come back and see me.” It’s a moment that’s got people talking, and while it’s not clear what the substance is, it’s enough to cause a stir for the Patriots, who are already dealing with enough distractions.
Head coach Mike Vrabel addressed the video on Wednesday, keeping it short and sweet. “It’s something we’re aware of, and obviously we want to make great decisions on and off the field,” Vrabel said, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN. “Any conversations that I’ve had with Stefon will remain between him and I and the club.” Diggs wasn’t at New England’s voluntary practice that day, which only added fuel to the fire. Vrabel’s message was clear: this is an internal matter, but it’s one they’re taking seriously. The Patriots signed Diggs to a three-year, $69 million deal this offseason after his one-year stint with the Houston Texans, where he struggled, finishing with career lows of 47 receptions, 496 receiving yards, and three touchdowns. His season was cut short after just eight games due to a torn ACL in a Week 8 win over the Indianapolis Colts, so this video is the last thing the team needs as they try to integrate him into the fold.
For Diggs, it’s a reminder that off-field actions can have on-field consequences, especially for a 31-year-old veteran expected to be a leader in the locker room. The Patriots are betting big on him, hoping he can bounce back from last season’s struggles and be a key piece for quarterback Drake Maye. But moments like this can distract from the work that needs to be done, and Vrabel’s no-nonsense approach suggests they’re not taking it lightly. The NFL’s a tough place, and for Diggs, this is a test of character as much as talent. The Patriots’ offseason has been busy, with moves like signing Morgan Moses and drafting Kyle Williams, but Diggs’ situation is a wild card they didn’t see coming. For now, it’s all about damage control, but the real question is whether Diggs can stay focused and deliver when it counts. Stay tuned, because this story’s got legs, and the Patriots need Diggs to be part of the solution, not the problem.
