Stefon Diggs’ first offseason with the New England Patriots is off to a rocky start following a viral video that cast the wide receiver into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
The video, which circulated widely on social media earlier this week, shows Diggs on a yacht appearing to hand a pink substance in a baggie to a woman.
Though the context of the clip remains unclear, it prompted immediate questions regarding the wideout’s off-field conduct.
Head coach Mike Vrabel addressed the issue during a Wednesday press conference, stating the team is “aware of the situation” and that he had spoken with Diggs as part of routine discussions with all players.
“Obviously, we want to make great decisions on and off the field,” Vrabel told reporters, while declining to elaborate further on their exchange.
Diggs did not attend Wednesday’s organised team activity (OTA), which was open to the media.
While OTAs are voluntary, his absence — coming so soon after the controversial footage surfaced — raises concerns about his early commitment to a team that has placed high expectations on his shoulders.
Signed to a three-year, $69 million deal in March, the 31-year-old was brought in to lead a young and unsettled receiving corps and serve as a primary target for second-year quarterback Drake Maye.
The Patriots have not had a 1,000-yard receiver since Julian Edelman in 2019, and Diggs’ arrival was meant to address that long-standing offensive gap.
However, this inauspicious start has rekindled concerns about the former Pro Bowler’s temperament — a narrative that followed him during his high-profile exits from Buffalo and later Houston.
Diggs missed the second half of last season due to an ACL tear, and has gone 19 consecutive games without a 100-yard performance, the longest drought of his career.
Vrabel offered no specific update on Diggs’ physical progress, stating only that the staff is “working hard to get him back” and will coach him accordingly once he returns.
The Patriots’ receiver room remains fluid, with rookie standouts Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker yet to fully participate in competitive drills.
Free-agent signing Mack Hollins has also been limited, while veterans Kendrick Bourne and Kayshon Boutte are rumoured trade candidates.
For now, Diggs was expected to bring stability and star power to a unit in flux.
Instead, his off-field conduct has become a distraction at a time when Vrabel, known for his disciplined approach, is trying to reshape the team’s culture.
Whether the viral video proves to be a blip or a sign of deeper issues remains to be seen. But as OTAs continue, the Patriots’ most high-profile offseason acquisition has quickly become their most scrutinised.
