The New England Patriots are in the spotlight this week, with head coach Mike Vrabel addressing an incident involving wide receiver Stefon Diggs that has raised some eyebrows. A video circulating on social media appears to show Diggs passing a bag of pink crystals to women while on a boat, and Vrabel acknowledged being aware of the situation but opted not to delve into specifics about any discussions he’s had with Diggs.
“Any conversations that I’ve had with Stefon will remain between him, me, and the club,” Vrabel stated before an optional practice that Diggs did not attend. His focus seems to be on upholding a standard for decision-making on and off the field. “It’s something that we’re aware of. Obviously, we want to make great decisions,” he added. The message he relayed is clear: the team is committed to fostering a culture of accountability.
The NFL hasn’t released any comments on the matter, while agents for Diggs were unavailable for immediate response when requested for comment.
This offseason, Diggs has garnered attention for his connection to hip-hop star Cardi B. The video not only features him but also shows the musician interacting with a group of people on the same boat trip. Notably, fans may recall that Diggs and Cardi B were seen together leaving the Met Gala and sharing a moment at a Boston Celtics-New York Knicks playoff game.
Diggs, who recently signed a lucrative three-year, $69 million contract with the Patriots—$26 million of which is guaranteed—brings a wealth of experience to the field. Prior to this year, he enjoyed six consecutive seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards while playing for the Vikings and the Bills. His most recent campaign with the Texans saw him tally 47 catches for 496 yards and three touchdowns over eight games before injury struck, leading to a torn ACL in his right knee last October.
For Diggs, the coming season holds promise, especially with the potential of being a key target for second-year quarterback Drake Maye. As Vrabel takes the helm in what is his first year coaching the team he once played for, there’s a collective hope to turn the narrative around after back-to-back disappointing seasons. Fans will certainly be keeping a close eye on how this plays out both on and off the field.
