FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots commenced their training camp with a powerful start, highlighted by Stefon Diggs making an immediate impression on Day 1 of Stefon Diggs Patriots camp. Despite recovering from an ACL tear sustained last October with the Houston Texans, Diggs was active during the initial competitive 11-on-11 drills, showcasing his readiness and impact on the field. The presence of Black Sabbath’s “Crazy Train” set an intense tone as second-year quarterback Drake Maye quickly connected with Diggs on the first competitive throw, launching the Patriots’ camp into full motion.
Maye targeted Diggs multiple times early, completing a shallow crosser and a flat route, both against the presumed first-team defense. These early connections revealed the strategic focus on building chemistry between New England’s new No. 1 wide receiver and the young quarterback. Maye’s decision to consistently look for Diggs appeared aimed at accelerating their rapport, which will be essential for the Patriots’ offensive success in the upcoming NFL season.
He made some plays out here today, it’s awesome being able to throw to a guy like that,
Maye said of Diggs after practice.
And even when you feel like he’s not open, he’s going to go make a play for you in tight coverage. He’s a strong receiver, going to make plays.
—Drake Maye, Patriots quarterback
Diggs’ Return to Football Following ACL Injury
Considering the severity of Diggs’ ACL tear, his presence on the field was a significant milestone. He secured clearance by passing his physical exam before camp, which allowed him to skip the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and be available for the season’s start. However, Diggs did not participate fully in all drills, sitting out from more demanding one-on-one exercises, which involved abrupt cuts and direction changes—understandably cautious given his recent injury.
I didn’t think about the timeline too much,
Diggs reflected on his progress.
Everybody kind of said I came back pretty fast, but it was a different journey for me. I kind of approached it like I wanted to get back as fast as I could, and I was just super serious about my rehab process. I love football, and if you really love football, you put in that time. Getting injured is a part of the game, but getting back to football, it just makes me extremely happy.
—Stefon Diggs, Patriots wide receiver
Mentally, Diggs emphasized overcoming the psychological hurdles of returning from a major knee injury. He described having faced his fears during rehab, allowing him to return to practice with confidence and without reservation about further injury risks.
No, I feel like I already taken the test already,
Diggs said.
I wanted to take the test before I came out here, before everybody else saw me. I feel like you can lie to everybody else, but you can’t lie to yourself. I kind of took the test when I was away, when I was taking those reps like ‘I’m going to give it everything I got and see what happens.’
I feel like the worst has already happened. I hurt my knee already. I went through that already. So, as far as taking those mental jumps, I took those in my rehab process. I took it that serious that, look, if something is going to happen, it’s going to happen right now and not when I get back to playing football. I’m not too concerned about, you know, the ‘What ifs?’ and all that. I’m just happy to be back to work.
—Stefon Diggs, Patriots wide receiver
Rookie Wide Receiver Kyle Williams Impresses Against Top Corner
Among the rookies, third-round pick Kyle Williams grabbed attention with his speed and playmaking ability during camp. A Washington State product, Williams demonstrated notable promise after catching passes from Maye. In one play, he turned a short reception into a significant gain by outrunning his defender once he caught the ball near the hash marks. Shortly thereafter, Williams delivered a standout moment by making a difficult catch along the sideline against Christian Gonzalez, the reigning 2024 All-Pro cornerback.
I think he was backside one-on-one with Gonzo,
said Maye, using Gonzalez’s nickname.
He made a big-time catch, strong hands. I told him to maybe sell it a little more, just try to give him a go-route feel. But I think he’s coming along. He’s looking good. I told Gonzo earlier, I’m going to come at Gonzo. I’m not going to, you know, backside. I’m not going to leave him out here bored at practice. So good for a rookie to make a play like that. And I think he is just going to get better and better.
—Drake Maye, Patriots quarterback
Ja’Lynn Polk’s Absence Raises Questions
One notable nonparticipant on Day 1 was second-year wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk, who did not take part in training camp drills. Polk was not placed on either the PUP or non-football injury (NFI) lists, making his absence unexpected. This stood out especially because Polk, a 2024 second-round draft pick, missed much of the spring but was anticipated to participate fully. Polk’s limited role and missed day in camp add to ongoing doubts about his ability to secure a spot on the Patriots’ 53-man roster for this season, as he is reportedly on the bubble after a challenging rookie year.
Shuffling Along the Offensive Line Examined
New England’s offensive line showed a mix of veterans and rookies competing for roles during drills. First-round rookie Will Campbell was entrenched at left tackle, while veteran Morgan Moses held the right tackle spot. At the center position, Garrett Bradbury remains the likely starter, but third-round rookie Jared Wilson earned some snaps, suggesting he could challenge for playing time given a strong camp. Another rookie, Caedan Wallace, initially a tackle prospect, saw opportunities at left guard, indicating some offensive line positions remain in flux.
During Maye’s snaps in practice, the line typically included Campbell at left tackle, Cole Strange at left guard, Bradbury at center, Michael Onwenu at right guard, and Moses at right tackle. While this alignment projects as the Week 1 starters, competition throughout camp could alter the configuration.
Drake Maye’s Performance Under Center
Maye attempted only nine passes during the first day’s competitive drills, completing eight, a strong rate under the circumstances. However, the absence of pads and the untouchable nature of the quarterback during practice likely inflated these numbers. Observers noted Maye likely would have been sacked several times, including by Keion White, and faced disruptions during downfield attempts, illustrated when safety Jabrill Peppers dropped a potential interception on Maye’s only incompletion deep in the middle of the field.
I threw one, kind of one ball, which I’ll have back, but they played a good coverage for what we had,
Maye said.
So, I think it’s just one of those things where you learn from it and try not to let those defensive guys get me.
—Drake Maye, Patriots quarterback
Despite these caveats, the second-year quarterback showed poise and efficiency on Day 1, stepping into a new offense under coordinator Josh McDaniels with promise and determination. His command of the offense, coupled with growing chemistry with receivers like Diggs, will be crucial as the Patriots aim to contend in 2024.
Patriots Camp Opens with a Mix of Veteran Leadership and Rookie Potential
The Patriots’ training camp launch combined the return of injured veteran Stefon Diggs, who looked strong despite not fully participating in every drill, with promising rookie performances and ongoing battles for roster spots. Diggs’ presence and early effectiveness offer an encouraging sign for New England’s passing game, while Kyle Williams and other young receivers are emerging as viable contributors.
Meanwhile, uncertainty remains regarding players like Ja’Lynn Polk, whose absence raises questions about his future role, and positional battles along the offensive line, where competition remains open. Quarterback Drake Maye’s controlled, if limited, display shows potential as he adapts to new schemes.
As camp progresses, the Patriots will continue to balance protecting key veterans recovering from injury with evaluating their young talent, all while constructing a competitive roster for the upcoming NFL season. The team’s ability to integrate these elements efficiently may prove vital to their success in 2025 and beyond.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Stefon Diggs date Cardi B?
A. Cardi and Stefon were first rumored to be dating in October. They confirmed their relationship in May at Madison Square Garden. The couple was seen sitting courtside during a Knicks game against the Boston Celtics. This event happened three months after they spent Valentine’s Day together.
Q. Does Josh Allen like Stefon Diggs?
A. Allen expressed, “I really care about Diggs and still do. His contributions to my career and his time with the Buffalo Bills will always be remembered by me.”