The Patriots hosted free agent wide receiver Stefon Diggs at Foxborough Wednesday, according to a league source.
Diggs, 31, has been in the NFL for 10 seasons, playing for Minnesota, Buffalo, and Houston, and has caught 857 passes for 10,491 yards, and 70 touchdowns. His 2024 season ended after a torn ACL he suffered in October; he still finished with 47 catches for 496 yards and three touchdowns in eight games for the Texans.
The 6-foot, 191-pounder had 100-plus receptions four straight years from 2020-23 with the Bills. The Maryland product has been at or near the top of the league in receptions, including having a league-leading 127 catches for 1,535 yards in 2020.
The Patriots’ efforts at bolstering the receiver room have been underwhelming over the past year. They were not able to land free agent Chris Godwin, who turned down more money from the Patriots to return to the Buccaneers. Tee Higgins was franchised by the Bengals. They made overtures about landing DK Metcalf, but the Seahawks dealt him to the Steelers. And Deebo Samuel was traded from the Niners to the Commanders.
The Patriots did add veteran Mack Hollins, but it appears they’ve turned their attention to Diggs, a receiver who was a thorn in their side for many years when he was with Buffalo (61 catches for 779 yards and eight touchdowns in 10 career regular-season games against the Patriots). In New England, he would move to the top of the depth chart, and provide young quarterback Drake Maye with another target in the passing game.
With Diggs, the big question is health. It’s not known where he is in his recovery from the torn ACL, but given the timeline and a nine-12-month rehab, he could be available early in 2025.
Andrews breaks silence
David Andrews broke his silence Wednesday, speaking for the first time since he was released by the Patriots late last week.
The 32-year-old center, who was released with a failed injury designation, said on “The Quick Snap’’ podcast with Brian Hoyer that he understood the team’s decision but wasn’t happy about it.
“No one wants to get fired, even from the real world. I definitely respect their decision. Do I like it? No,’’ Andrews said. “I thought I could provide value. I was hoping that I could try to play and just try to get the ship in the right direction and help the organization and the community.’’
Andrews, who went from undrafted free agent to team leader and captain, played in four games last season before suffering a shoulder injury. He eventually underwent surgery with an eye on playing in 2025. However, he said he was told by the Patriots last week they were going to release him.
“I found out earlier that week. You’re a little shocked by it,’’ Andrews said. “I’ve been so blessed. I’ve had 10 years and never got fired. I was living a pipe dream that I would hopefully make the decision myself.
“What did Bill [Belichick] say? There’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and you’re hoping it’s not a train, and I was hoping it wasn’t a train, and it was a train.’’
The Patriots will likely turn to newly acquired Garrett Bradbury to take over at center. Ben Brown and Cole Strange, who handled the bulk of the work last year with Andrews out, figure to be part of the mix.
LB Gibbens acquired
The Patriots are signing linebacker Jack Gibbens to a one-year contract, according to his representation, agency JL Sports.
The move reunites Gibbens with coach Mike Vrabel, who signed him as an undrafted rookie free agent in Tennessee in 2022. Gibbens played two seasons for Vrabel, appearing in 19 games and logging one sack, one interception, and 123 tackles.
Nicole Yang of the Globe staff contributed to this report.