Stefon Diggs already becoming ‘pain in the posterior' for Patriots with Week 1 status still unclear
Shortly after a tense exchange Thursday with Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel over the star receiver's Week 1 availability, NBC Sports Boston's Phil Perry shed a bit more light on a new marriage that's already on shaky ground.
'There are little signs that he's just becoming a bit of a pain in the posterior,' Perry said of Diggs when discussing Vrabel's outburst during the press conference on 'Quick Slants.' 'For Mike Vrabel to sort of have to be [Diggs'] public relations assistant and tell us what he really meant in his commentary to a member of the national media, I don't know if that irks Mike Vrabel or if he's just looking to go back and forth with somebody in the media.'
New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) reacts after catching a pass during a joint NFL football training camp with the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, in Eagan, Minn.
AP
Diggs signed a three-year, $63.5 million contract with the Patriots in free agency after suffering a torn ACL last October when he played for the Texans.
This week, the four-time Pro Bowler said he feels 'great' and 'we'll see about Week 1' during an appearance on the 'Scoop City' podcast, leaving fans and media to wonder if he will be on the field when the Patriots host the Raiders on Sept. 7.
Dealing with Diggs may already not be worth it for the franchise, according to Perry.
'It all sort of adds up to, there's a lot going on with this guy for a guy who doesn't look like a No. 1 receiver anymore,' Perry said.
New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) walks to the podium to speak to the media after minicamp held in the WIN Field House at Gillette Stadium.
Eric Canha-Imagn Images
On NBC Sports Boston's 'Early Edition,' Perry echoed the same sentiment after being asked if Diggs is worth the 'headache.'
'How severe a headache is it? Because if we're talking a migraine, if it turns into a migraine, I'm gonna say no. I just don't think he's a No. 1 receiver at this point in time,' he said. 'Let's rephrase that: If he's a headache, in my opinion, not worth it. He's a No. 2 at this point in his career. I don't think he's going to be a thousand-yard receiver.'
During the press conference on Thursday, Vrabel didn't address Diggs' comments specifically, but he noted that the veteran pass-catcher has 'been out here almost every day.'
'I'm excited of where he's at and we'll see when Week 1 comes, but he's going to practice today,' Vrabel said. 'Hopefully, he helps us in the red zone, but we can't predict the future about Week 1. I just know he's going to be out there today, and he works hard and he cares, which are two important things.'
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