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Drake Maye reveals why playing with Stefon Diggs is especially meaningful heading into his second NFL season
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

FOXBOROUGH, Mass - When Stefon Diggs was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2015 NFL Draft, Drake Maye wasn't even 13 years old yet. So growing up, when Maye was playing Madden football or in fantasy football leagues with his friends, Diggs was a notable presence. 

"Shoot, Stefon, he was one of those guys growing up when I was in high school, he was young in the league," Maye told reporters on Thursday. "I had him on my fantasy team and things like that - playing with him in Madden,” 

So, fast-forward to 2025, the two are now teammates. 

“It’s pretty cool to hopefully now in-season throw to him," Maye added. "He’s coming back obviously from injury. He’s doing great. He’s been around. It’s going to be cool to throw to a receiver who’s made plays like he has.

“He’s made big plays in playoff games and played in a lot of different schemes, played with high-level quarterbacks. Just to see his point of view. It’s my job to give him a chance and go get it.”

Diggs reposted Maye's comments with a two-emoji response to Instagram. 

While the star receiver tore his ACL in Week 8 of the 2024 season, he has made it clear that he feels ahead of schedule with his rehabilitation. And he even feels he can be ready to go by Week 1. 

“Sh**, when the whistle blows,” Diggs told reporters about when he feels he can return during his introductory press conference in March. “We’ll see. I’m ahead of schedule. I’m trying to stay ahead of schedule. I’ll pretty much take it day by day. I’ll try not to put the carriage before the horse. But here we are — here’s the horse right here. I’ll let you know, though. We’ll keep playing it by ear. I’m gonna stay ahead of schedule for now and I’ll let y’all know.”

This could be a dangerous combination. 

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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