After 11 years in the NFL, Stefon Diggs is finally standing on the biggest stage. However, before he could play offense against the Seattle Seahawks in a week, he had to play defense for a question he clearly wasn’t in the mood for as the New England Patriots arrived in San Jose on Monday for Super Bowl opening night.

“Playing in the NFL? You know I’m under contract? You gotta do your research a little bit. Weird questions,” Diggs shut down a reporter after he was asked if he plans to return next year.

“Honestly, I’m going to rock it until the wheels fall off,” Diggs declared for how long he plans to play in the league. “Football is my passion. I love to do it, you know I’m saying. I love to be around a group of guys that I have right now.”

After spending three subpar seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Diggs finally found his form. However, with the team using him less and him wanting to be the true WR1, he requested a trade. While he carried over his numbers to the Buffalo Bills, even led the league in targets, receptions, and yards in his first year there, he saw his production fade during the second half of 2023, his final season there.

He was eventually traded to the Houston Texans after some off-field drama. However, his only season there ended early with an ACL injury. Having played in three teams in nine years and always failing to play the big one became a ghost that wouldn’t leave him. His entering his 32nd year only added more question marks around his performance. But New England still took a chance on him.

They handed the former fifth-round pick a three-year, $63.5 million deal with $22.6 million guaranteed. The Patriots fan didn’t have many expectations from him. But Diggs ensured he made it worth their while in the very first season of recovering from the injury. Here’s how:

• The Patriots’ 28-23 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 10. Although the road game wasn’t the best outing for Diggs in numbers, he impressed his team and fans with the unbelievable toe-tap touchdown catch.
  In that game, with the Bucs leading 10-7, rookie quarterback Drake Maye threw an impressive long throw towards the side of the end zone. What was more impressive was Diggs’ catch under pressure. He fell outside the lines with his defender, making many wonder if it would be considered a score.
  However, replays not only confirmed it as a completion but also made his feat look much more impressive, as even within seconds, Diggs was able to think about how he needed to put both his feet in the end zone to make it count.
• He had already shown the power of his legs in Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons. For his 900th career catch, Diggs took a short pass from Maye and avoided Falcons tacklers for 11 yards before diving into the end zone for a touchdown.
• Then there was his second-best game of the season by numbers against the Baltimore Ravens. In the 28-24 road win in Week 16, he caught 90 percent of his catches for 138 yards, confirming the team’s berth in the playoffs.

Though Diggs’ height was always a concern, which also pushed him to the fifth round in his draft, his pass-catching ability has never disappointed.

While he may not be the same version fans saw during his peak years in Buffalo, his first season in Foxborough was strong enough to quiet any doubts. Strong enough to make the idea of retiring after his first Super Bowl appearance feel stupid.

Diggs’ contract includes opt-out or restructure options in both 2026 and 2027. But based on how 2025 played out, the wide receiver has already fallen in love with New England. Meanwhile, the Patriots have little incentive to pull the plug early.

He led the Patriots during the regular season with 102 targets and 1,013 receiving yards. In the postseason, he continued to deliver, helping Maye guide the offense to the Super Bowl. Across three playoff wins, Diggs caught 11 of 17 targets for 73 yards and a touchdown, going a perfect 3–0 in his first postseason run with New England.

Now, with the Super Bowl less than a week away, Diggs has a chance to win the big one. But once the confetti settles, retirement still won’t be a part of the conversation. Not now. Not right after Stefon’s first Super Bowl appearance. And probably not until his contract runs its course in 2027.

Stefon Diggs gets emotional on his first Super Bowl trip

Stefon Diggs had come close to reaching the Super Bowl before with the Bills. That run, however, ended in heartbreak when the Kansas City Chiefs knocked Buffalo out in the AFC Championship Game five years ago, keeping Diggs one step short of football’s biggest stage. This season, though, things changed. In his very first year with the Patriots, Diggs is heading to the Super Bowl.

“It made it all worth it, man. All the hard work. We’ve got one more,” Diggs said after the team’s win over the Denver Broncos as he tried to fight back his tears. “I just want to rejoice and take this moment in, and just be thankful for God. It’s hard, man.”

Diggs and New England locked up their Super Bowl berth by taking down the Denver Broncos in the AFC title game. Offensively, it wasn’t exactly a showcase night. The Patriots managed just 65 passing yards, while Diggs finished with five catches for 17 yards. But a dominant defensive performance carried the team through, finally turning Diggs’ long-held Super Bowl dream into reality.

Now the wideout and the Pats will line up against the Seahawks, the league’s top-ranked defense. In a clash of defenses, it will be interesting to see how Maye’s offense pulls the Patriots all the way through.