Vikings WR Stefon Diggs misses practice for non-injury reasons, so let’s do some good old-fashioned Patriots speculation
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Speculating about dynamic players coming to the Patriots is fun, so let’s have some fun. Embattled Vikings wideout Stefon Diggs missed practice on Wednesday for non-injury reasons, and it comes amid rumors and speculation about his possible interest in going to the Patriots.
Diggs recently followed Tom Brady, Julian Edelman, and James White on Instagram, which in today’s age of sports is a sure sign that he’s at least interested in the possibility of joining them in New England.
Regardless of whether he ends up with the Patriots or not, Diggs is certainly frustrated with how things have gone in Minnesota to start the 2019 season. He’s seen just 19 targets in four games and has caught 13 of them for 209 yards and one touchdown. He’s posted some cryptic, introspective messages in recent days.
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The Patriots have their own reasons for potentially wanting to bring in a receiver of Diggs’ caliber. Although Antonio Brown proved to be too much of a headache to be worth weathering that storm, that doesn’t mean the team could use another playmaker at receiver. Injuries have started to creep in. Julian Edelman is working through a chest contusion and Josh Gordon appeared on Wednesday’s injury report with a knee issue.
Complicating a Diggs acquisition is he’s expensive, and probably not worth trading for the Vikings – even if he does want out. Diggs just signed a five-year deal with the Vikings worth $14.4 million per season. Minnesota signed him to a $15 million signing bonus and over $40 million guaranteed as part of the deal. So it would have to be well worth the Vikings’ while to convince them to move on from Diggs.
On the Patriots’ side, it would take some creative money management to fit Diggs under the cap after the Brown fiasco. They’d probably have to restructure his deal, and push some cap money down the road with more expensive contracts like Devin McCourty and Dont’a Hightower. Anything is possible, but that doesn’t necessarily make Bill Belichick’s decisions easy.
But again, Diggs is one of the more talented receivers in football and would give Tom Brady a fresh, dynamic target on the outside. He runs crisp routes and has a pedigree for coming up big in clutch moments; see the “Minnesota Miracle”. So just enjoy the speculation and possibilities for just a little while. Please?
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at [email protected].
