There are other reasons as to why Downing has made an impact on many players over the years, but it’s that sort of straightforward approach that has appealed to Stefon Diggs, who said earlier in the week that one of the reasons why he signed with the Patriots was the chance to work with Downing for the second time in his career.
Get Starting Point
“We do have some connections going back to Minnesota,” said Diggs. “We had multiple conversations, especially when I got here on my visit.”
And while Diggs praised head coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as big reasons why he signed with New England, the presence of Downing was a clincher.
“I trust [Downing]. I don’t trust many people,” Diggs said. “I believe him at face value, his words. I appreciate his honesty.”
Diggs and Downing were together for the 2019 season in Minnesota when Downing was the tight ends coach and Diggs was starting a run of six straight seasons with 1,000-plus receiving yards. When the chance to connect again in New England this past offseason became a genuine possibility, the fact that Downing was on the Patriots’ staff was an undeniable attraction, thanks in part because of Downing’s coaching style.
“I appreciate straight shooters, you know what I’m saying?” Diggs said. “You can tell me the truth, no matter what it is, and I’ll rock with you … if it’s the truth. You try and pull the wool over my eyes, and it gets a little dicey.”
While Downing was an undeniable attraction for Diggs, the coach downplayed his role in the recruiting process.
“Give Josh and Mike the credit. They were the recruiters,” Downing said of Diggs’s initial introduction to New England. “They were the ones who painted the picture for [Diggs]. I was able to meet Stef at the Renaissance and walk over to dinner with them, and catch up a little but. And you know, we kind of fell back into that relationship that we had in Minnesota, which was nice.”
Throughout the first 11 games, Diggs has helped recharge the New England passing attack. He leads the team with 59 catches for 659 yards, to go along with three touchdowns.
Diggs said one of the reasons behind his success with the Patriots is because of Downing — who has coached a wide variety of positions over the course of his career, including quarterbacks with the Lions (2012-13), Raiders (2015-16), and Jets (2023-24) — and his ability to help him see the game from a different perspective.
“This year, I’ve probably studied the most in terms of recognizing coverages and being able to try to see it before the play starts, kind of like, from a quarterback’s vision,” Diggs said. “Coach Todd has been in the quarterback rooms and called plays, so he gave us a vantage point from that. I’ve never had that from a receivers coach before.”
“One of the things I’ve been most appreciative of in my career is that I’ve coached a lot of different positions,” Downing replied. “I worked defense in St. Louis, and I think it’s given me the ability to have a well-rounded view of the game, and also some empathy for different position groups on what might be difficult or what might be a challenge for them. And so I hope I can take that view and help paint a picture for our receivers as to how they can help the quarterback feel the most comfortable.”
In the end, it’s worth noting some off-the-cuff advice from Moss, a former Patriots’ receiver, resonated for Diggs in a way that’s resulted in a breakout season in his first year with the Patriots.
If Diggs and Downing can maintain that same sort of dialogue down the stretch and into the postseason, there’s no telling where it could take the Patriots’ passing game.
“As I grew up as a man and wanted to be a man of character, I liked to be a truth teller. On top of that, I’m not smart enough to remember lies,” Downing said with a laugh.
“I just try to tell the truth. I think players appreciate that, because even if they disagree with you, then you can have an honest conversation about it.”
Christopher Price can be reached at christopher.price@globe.com. Follow him on Bluesky at christopherprice.bsky.social.
