Patriots OC McDaniels Not Concerned by Stefon Diggs OTA Return

Stefon Diggs, the New England Patriots' star wide receiver, has returned to voluntary OTAs after missing sessions last week amid controversy from a viral Memorial Day weekend video showing him distributing an unidentified pink substance to women on a boat. Despite the distraction and his absence, offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels expressed confidence in Diggs' preparedness and progress, emphasizing that OTAs are voluntary and that Diggs is keeping up with team materials. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged awareness of the video but refrained from confirming any direct discussions with Diggs, underscoring the importance of good decisions on and off the field. Diggs signed a three-year, $69 million contract with the Patriots earlier this year following a torn ACL injury, but the team has only fully guaranteed a portion of the deal, reflecting some caution. While there were rumors about the Patriots potentially releasing Diggs, McDaniels' comments suggest the team remains hopeful about his contributions as they prepare for the season opener in September. The Patriots are keen to move past the incident and focus on building a strong offense around second-year quarterback Drake Maye.