During the New England Patriots’ 29-13 defeat to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX, quarterback Drake Maye expressed regret over the underutilization of wide receiver Stefon Diggs. The veteran receiver, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, was targeted only three times and managed 37 yards, a far cry from his regular-season dominance.
Stefon Diggs’ Limited Role Raises Questions
Despite Diggs leading the Patriots in catches and receiving yards during the season by a large margin—boasting 25 more receptions and 245 more yards than any teammate—he was featured far less during the championship game. Notably, six other players saw more targets than Diggs in the biggest game of the year.
Maye noted,
“Diggs, I wish I probably would have given him more chances in the game,”
adding,
“I know he probably [feels] the same way. He’s just been a great force this year. Can’t say enough about what he’s done for us, what he’s done for the team and what he’s proven to himself. … He’s still a big time player in this league.”
Offensive Snap Counts and Target Distribution
Diggs played on only 45% of the Patriots’ offensive snaps, significantly less than fellow wideouts Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins, who participated in 73% and 72% of plays, respectively. Hollins led the team with eight targets, highlighting the disparity in involvement.
The timing of Diggs’ catches also stood out; nearly 25 minutes elapsed before his first reception, a short 5-yard gain in the second quarter. His second catch came near the final minutes, a crucial 26-yard reception that helped set up a touchdown. Diggs’ final catch took place during the team’s closing drive.
Other Key Offensive Players Fell Short
Aside from Maye and Diggs, rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson, who had a standout regular season, surprisingly faded in the postseason. Henderson had amassed 911 rushing yards and 1,132 all-purpose yards during the season but was largely absent during the playoffs. Meanwhile, Kenneth Walker provided an MVP-caliber performance for Seattle, emphasizing the Patriots’ offensive struggles.
Looking Ahead: A Commitment to Involving Key Players
Maye acknowledged the need to better integrate his top playmakers if he returns to the Super Bowl in the future. Regarding Diggs, Maye remains optimistic about what the veteran receiver can contribute moving forward.
“He’s got a lot of juice left in the tank,”
Maye said of Diggs.
“He told me the other day he has a chance to really work on his craft in the offseason, he really didn’t have a chance last offseason and got a chance to get back working and just trying to get whatever’s left in his body, I know there’s some and I’m looking forward to getting a chance to hopefully throw him some more passes and watch (him) go.”
Significance of Diggs’ Role in Patriots’ Future Success
The limited involvement of Stefon Diggs in the Super Bowl stands out as a critical factor in the Patriots’ loss, especially given his dominant regular season. As Drake Maye and the team prepare for the offseason, emphasizing strategic utilization of primary offensive weapons like Diggs will likely play a major role in their quest to return to championship contention. Recognizing and addressing these offensive shortcomings will be essential for altering their postseason trajectory.
Drake Maye says he wishes he gave Stefon Diggs more chances in the Super Bowl:
“I wish I probably gave him more chances in the game. I know he probably thinks the same way.”
–@CLNSMedia pic.twitter.com/Y1gkzlLJs0— Patriots on CLNS (@PatriotsCLNS) February 10, 2026
