🚨🚨🚨 NEW ERA IN NEW ENGLAND: Stefon Diggs steps up as a leader with the Patriots, declaring “I want to be part of it,” and the NFL world is buzzing! Fans are flooding social media with reactions, analysts are dissecting every word, and teammates are already feeding off his energy. Every practice, every rep, every locker-room moment feels bigger now with Diggs at the helm. Could this spark be the turning point that transforms the Patriots’ season?

Published: Sep. 17, 2025, 3:58 p.m.

Stefon Diggs embraces leadership role with Patriots: “I want to be part of it” — New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs walks off the field before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)AP

FOXBOROUGH – Stefon Diggs sees promise. He wants to be part of the solution.

After tearing his ACL last October, simply making it to the start of the 2025 season was an accomplishment in itself. Now, Diggs hopes to lead, stay healthy, and help the Patriots reach greater heights.

Speaking on Wednesday, the four-time Pro Bowler said he’s not focused on individual accomplishments, but rather on helping this young Patriots team grow.

“I want to be a key point in this offense as far as far as like being part of the sail with things going in the right direction,” Diggs said. “We’ve got a young team. We’re out there fighting. We’re out there getting on the same page. You see things clicking here and there. I just want to be part of it. I’m just trying to do what I’m asked and be consistent. Having a young quarterback that can ball – just trying to be in the right spot for him, gaining that confidence throughout games, I think is going to pay dividends for us.”

Through two games, Diggs has 10 catches on 12 targets for 89 yards. Last week, the veteran’s first catch, a 10-yard gain, came on fourth-and-3. In Miami, the Patriots offense was geared more toward tight ends and running backs, but Diggs finished second on the team with four receptions.

Diggs said he’s happy with his health and noted that the biggest adjustment has been learning Josh McDaniels’ offense after a slower-than-usual offseason.

Coming off surgery, Diggs didn’t participate in OTAs. In training camp, the Patriots eased the receiver back into practice. He didn’t play in any of the team’s preseason games, so Week 1 marked the first time he had been tackled since suffering the knee injury last October.

“It’s not too much about my game, but overall, more about the overall offense,” Diggs said. “Like learning, being out there, I didn’t have too much OTAs. I was part of training camp, but I didn’t get any preseason work. As far as back playing in the games and getting back tackled again and getting back to the little things, as far as catching the ball and knifing. I’m used to contact, but getting used to reaction-based, putting my feet in the ground consistently. That’s really what it is. I missed football so much. I love being out there.”

After two weeks, Diggs said his knee has responded well.