For Stefon Diggs, Sunday night’s 23–20 victory over the Buffalo Bills wasn’t just another win. It was deeply personal. In his first game back at Highmark Stadium since being traded away in 2024, the New England Patriots wide receiver turned in a vintage performance. He recorded 10 catches for 146 yards—his best outing of the season—to help lift the Patriots within one game of the AFC East lead.
When NBC’s Melissa Stark asked Diggs if the performance was personal, the 30-year-old didn’t hesitate. “One-hundred percent,” he said. “Obviously, I love those guys, still have a good relationship with them, have a lot of respect for them. But I love the game of football more, and every time I come out here, I try to prove it, not only to them but to myself.”
It was a statement game only Diggs could deliver—full of emotion, precision, and purpose. He leads the Patriots in receptions, yards, and targets, becoming rookie quarterback Drake Maye’s most reliable weapon. “It was lit, prime time,” Diggs said with a grin. “It was electrifying. I knew it was going to be a test for us.”
The Patriots’ offense flowed through their new No. 1 receiver. Maye displayed poise beyond his years and finished 22 of 30 for 273 yards. He completed all but one of his passes in the second half. On the game-winning drive, Maye found Diggs for a crucial 12-yard sideline catch. That set up kicker Andy Borregales for the decisive 52-yard field goal with just 15 seconds remaining.
After the game, Maye called the night “storybook” for his veteran teammate. “Coming back here first game, prime time, you could see it all week,” Maye said. “He just loves football. He’s got a lot in the tank left, so it’s good he’s a Patriot.”
Diggs’ journey back to form has been anything but easy. After a season-ending ACL tear in Week 8 of 2024 with the Houston Texans, his future seemed uncertain. A restructured contract freed him to hit free agency last offseason. It led to a three-year, $69 million deal with New England and a chance to remind the league that he’s still one of the game’s elite playmakers.
In Buffalo, the reception was mixed. Fans booed as Diggs emerged from the tunnel. The atmosphere softened as he embraced several former teammates and Bills head coach Sean McDermott before kickoff. The wide receiver later admitted that the return felt “nostalgic,” and he still holds “a lot of love and respect” for the city where his career flourished.
During his four seasons with the Bills, Diggs produced 445 receptions for 5,372 yards and 37 touchdowns. He earned two All-Pro selections and led the NFL in catches (127) and receiving yards (1,535) in 2020. Those years cemented his status as one of the NFL’s premier receivers. He also helped quarterback Josh Allen evolve into an MVP contender.
Now, Diggs is fueling Maye’s rapid growth. Together, they’ve given New England (3–2) a legitimate spark after years of offensive stagnation.
The Patriots’ win snapped Buffalo’s unbeaten start (now 4–1) and signaled that the AFC East is far from decided. For Diggs, the satisfaction went beyond the standings. It was redemption—a reminder of the player he’s always been, and a warning to anyone who doubted he still had something left to prove.
As Diggs put it afterward, “They love you one day, they hate you the next. They can love you again.”
