New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel had nothing but praise for his big offseason acquisition after multiple videos have emerged of Stefon Diggs partying it up all offseason.
First, there was the now infamous incident on a yacht in Miami where Diggs was seen surrounded by ʙικιɴι-clad women and pulling out a plastic bag with some form of a pink substance.
Then, there was this past weekend where video of Diggs dancing at his sister’s wedding went viral.
Some fans may view these videos of a grown man having a good time as an issue and that’s something Vrabel quashed in a press conference on Monday.
When asked how Diggs is adjusting to his new team, Vrabel responded, ‘Good. I mean, he’s tried to figure out where everything is and what his role is, making sure that as we add those situations – the third down, the no-huddle, the red zone – that he’s staying up on it.’
Vrabel continued: ‘He’s working hard in his rehab and when he can – there’s certain drills he can be out there and certain drills he won’t be. But I think he’s engaged and I like his energy.’
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel praised Stefon Diggs’ work ethic and energy amid controversy
Diggs was captured wildly dancing at his sister’s wedding in a fresh viral video from Friday
The NFL star was seen surrounded by women clad in ʙικιɴιs over Memorial Day weekend
Diggs was seen getting down on the dancefloor at his sister’s wedding on Friday night.
The 31-year-old can be seen wildly throwing his arms around, jumping from side to side and spinning in an erratic series of moves on the dancefloor.
While Diggs appeared to be enjoying some harmless fun, the footage of his wild dance moves comes just over a week after he stirred controversy with his partying.
The wideout was captured surrounded by scantily-clad women, despite his girlfriend, rap star Cardi B, also partying aboard the boat.
Towards the end of the clip, Diggs produced a plastic bag containing an unknown substance that one of the women took from him.
After the video flooded social media, reports emerged that the Patriots could release the receiver just a couple of months after signing him on a three-year, $69million contract.
But on Monday, Diggs returned to practice with New England and NFL Network reported that the Patriots are determined to keep the receiver.
Diggs signed with the Patriots after a year with the Texans. He suffered a season-ending ACL injury back in October but was back on the field this week.
The clip comes after the wide receiver stirred controversy in a viral boat video
Though OTAs are optional, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network claimed: ‘Stefon Diggs showing up today felt about as mandatory as it could be.’
‘He’s a very good player, they intend to pay him a lot of money – they haven’t yet – especially after he pᴀssed the physical from his ACL recovery,’ Rapoport continued.
‘This is a player they want to keep, want to be making plays for them – that’s why they signed him in free agency to such fanfare.
‘He just has to be better and this was a step in the right direction for Diggs and certainly something the Patriots welcomed.’
In the immediate aftermath, Vrabel addressed the viral video but refused to reveal whether Diggs – a four-time Pro Bowler – would be sanctioned.
‘It’s something we’re aware of and obviously we want to make great decisions on and off the field,’ Vrabel said. ‘Any conversations that I’ve had with Stefon will remain between him and I and the club.’
After the video went viral, an insider told the Daily Mail that Cardi B ‘doesn’t want her man flirting with any ladies… s he is mad at him.’
But Diggs appeared in good spirits when he attended Patriots OTAs on Monday, telling reporters as he took to the field: ‘Nice to see y’all’
Diggs and Cardi B fueled dating speculation after being seen at a Knicks playoff game
The rapper posted a pH๏τo of her and Diggs on a boat in the wake of the viral video
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel addressed the viral video last week
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Ahead of his return, Diggs posted a cryptic message on social media , sharing a series of snaps from recent weeks alongside the caption: ‘To the month of May, I appreciate you none the less… gotta stay focused.’
Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, meanwhile, did not seem overly concerned with Diggs’ recent absence.
‘It’s a voluntary part of the year, we know that,’ he told reporters. ‘I don’t know if we’ve ever had perfect attendance.’
He continued: ‘As a coach, selfishly, you’d love it when they’re all here, because you feel like you’ve got them all in the classroom and all on the field and the rest of it.
‘He’s here today, and we’re excited to have an opportunity to work with the guys that are out here and available to us.’