Stefon Diggs’ Snap Count Is Down – But the Patriots Say There’s No “Special Reason” Why

FOXBORO – Something’s changed with Stefon Diggs over the last few weeks – and it’s not just the stat sheet.

The veteran wideout, once on pace for yet another 1,000-yard campaign, has seen a noticeable dip in production over the Patriots’ last three games. But it’s not just the numbers that are trending down. His playing time has taken a hit, too.

Diggs was on the field for less than half of the Patriots’ offensive snaps in back-to-back wins over the Bengals and Giants in Weeks 12 and 13. Coming off a Week 14 bye, he logged exactly 50% of snaps in Sunday’s loss to the Bills. It’s a stark contrast for a player who’s typically been a focal point of any offense he’s in.

Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels addressed the situation on Thursday and made it clear: there’s no hidden agenda here.

“There’s no special reason for that,” McDaniels said. “A lot of guys got fewer snaps on Sunday because we didn’t earn enough snaps in the game.”

And that’s really the crux of it. The Patriots’ offense hasn’t been on the field long enough to feed everyone – even someone with Diggs’ résumé.

It’s not just Diggs feeling the squeeze. McDaniels pointed to running back TreVeyon Henderson as another example.

Henderson played in the 20s in terms of snaps on Sunday, and McDaniels said he’d love to get that number into the 50s – but with limited total plays, that’s a tough ask.

“When you don’t have 50 plays, it’s hard for us to establish that volume for any one player,” McDaniels said. “They all should want to play as many snaps as we have. And that’s an impossibility because we’re using everybody and trying to get contributions from all of them.”

The message is clear: this isn’t about Diggs falling out of favor. It’s about the offense needing to find a rhythm – and fast.

McDaniels emphasized the need to get the play count up, ideally into the high 60s or 70s, which would naturally create more opportunities across the board. Until then, it’s a numbers game, and even top targets like Diggs aren’t immune.

Diggs, for his part, is staying professional through the adjustment. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, he didn’t express frustration – just a desire to make the most of whatever snaps he does get.

“I just try to take advantage of the opportunities I do get,” Diggs said. “And when I am out there, be a vessel, be a positive force, rather than being any other way.”

That mindset has been consistent with Diggs’ role in New England this season. Even as the targets have dipped, he’s remained a vocal and steady presence in the locker room – a leader on and off the field.

Still, the numbers don’t lie. Since torching the Jets for over 100 receiving yards in Week 11, Diggs hasn’t cracked the 30-yard mark in any of the last three games. With three games left in the regular season, he sits at 67 catches for 731 yards and three touchdowns – solid, but shy of the elite production we’ve come to expect from him.

The good news? There’s still time.

If the Patriots can find their offensive rhythm and extend drives, Diggs’ opportunities should naturally rise. And if history tells us anything, it’s that when Diggs gets the ball in his hands, good things tend to happen.

For now, though, it’s about patience, execution, and finding ways to stay on the field longer. Because when the snap count goes up, so does the impact of a player like Stefon Diggs.