FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — New England Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs recently addressed discussions he had with his coach Mike Vrabel and the team following the circulation of a viral video. In the video, Diggs was seen handing what looked like a bag containing pink crystals to women on a boat, sparking interest and intrigue.
When speaking with the media on Tuesday after the team’s final minicamp practice, Diggs chose to keep the details of these conversations private, stating his preference for maintaining a separation between his personal and public life. He expressed appreciation for the media but emphasized his commitment to keeping his private life under wraps.
This was Diggs’s first interaction with reporters since the video surfaced online, showing him mingling with three women and producing the mysterious substance. The nature of the substance has not been clarified. The NFL has refrained from commenting on the situation, and Coach Vrabel mentioned that the team would address the issue internally.
“I know there’s a lot of talk,” Diggs shared. “But those discussions with (Vrabel) and the team are to remain private.” Despite missing several optional workouts earlier in the spring, Diggs attended team events following the incident and participated in the Patriots’ mandatory minicamp on both Monday and Tuesday. Initially, a third session was planned for Wednesday, but Vrabel decided to cancel it.
The 31-year-old wide receiver, already in the spotlight due to his public appearances with hip-hop artist Cardi B, finds himself under increased scrutiny. Notably, they attended high-profile events such as the Met Gala and a basketball game featuring the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. Since joining the Patriots this offseason on a lucrative three-year, $69 million contract, with $26 million guaranteed, attention on Diggs has been amplified.
Diggs, a seasoned NFL athlete with a decade of experience, has achieved over 1,000 receiving yards in six consecutive seasons with the Vikings and Bills before a trade saw him move from Buffalo to Houston last year. Before suffering a season-ending ACL injury in his right knee in October, he amassed 47 catches, gaining 496 yards and scoring three touchdowns in eight games for the Texans.
Currently, Diggs is focused on recovering from his knee surgery to ensure he is fully prepared for the upcoming training camp in July. “I’m working hard every day,” he stated, clarifying his current limited participation in team activities. Despite not being able to engage fully in team drills, he is committed to his rehab process and is eager to return to the field.
During Tuesday’s practice, Diggs occasionally aligned with the first-team offense as new plays were introduced. However, he avoided engaging in full-speed exercises and concentrated on individual routines supervised by trainers. Nevertheless, Diggs remains determined:
“I’m positive about my return,” he explained. He admitted initial struggles with confidence post-surgery but is now raring to go. “It’s like being held back on a leash, but I’m excited for camp and I’m preparing for that moment.”