Patriots WR Stefon Diggs says Josh McDaniels does this better than any other coach

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels received plenty of praise throughout the season for helping second-year quarterback Drake Maye become a regular-season Most Valuable Player Award candidate as Maye guided the club to a Super Bowl LX showdown with the Seattle Seahawks. 

While speaking with reporters on Thursday, Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs touched upon the impact McDaniels has had on a roster that exceeded the expectations many had for it when New England was 1-2 back in September.

Josh McDaniels has put Patriots players "in spots to excel"

"Hell of a coach," Diggs said about McDaniels, per Chris Mason of MassLive. "He’s seen a lot of football. Coming from the standpoint of the X’s and O’s, I don’t think there’s anybody better than him at drawing it up and seeing what he’s seeing. Being able to put guys in spots to excel, whatever their skillset is."

Diggs suffered a torn ACL while with the Houston Texans in October 2024. That injury understandably left many wondering what he would and/or wouldn't be as part of McDaniels' offense. 

ESPN stats show that Diggs ended his first regular season as a New England player leading the team with 85 receptions, 102 targets and 1,013 receiving yards. Over 17 games, he tallied four touchdown catches.

Just as important as his on-the-field contributions, Diggs seemingly has become a locker-room leader with the Patriots. 

What Josh McDaniels' temperament has meant for Stefon Diggs, other Patriots players

"His temperament, as far as how he engages with the players, he treats you like you’re unilateral to him," Diggs added about McDaniels. "He has conversations with you, keeps you focused. Me, I’m a high-energy guy. I try to stay focused, so he always gives me little tidbits here and there. I feel like you can always lean on him as a coach if you have one of those moments. So he’s a hell of a coach."

As of Friday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook continued to list the Patriots as 4.5-point underdogs versus the Seahawks. Of course, McDaniels and former quarterback Tom Brady helped the Patriots claim six Super Bowl titles during the franchise's dynastic run. McDaniels may need to produce his best big-game plan for New England to earn an upset victory on Feb. 8.