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After Patriots’ 38–10 Rout of Dolphins, Stefon Diggs Quietly Thanks the Teammate Who Stood by Him Through the Darkest Days of Assault Allegations

FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts – January 4, 2026

The New England Patriots closed the regular season with a statement win, dismantling the Miami Dolphins 38–10 in a one-sided Week 18 matchup that underscored their authority and composure heading into the postseason. From the opening series, New England dictated pace, controlled field position, and suffocated Miami with physical defense and disciplined execution. It was a “businesslike blowout,” the kind that reflects a team fully aligned, confident, and mentally prepared for January football.

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On the stat sheet, Stefon Diggs delivered a quiet but meaningful performance. Diggs caught three passes for 43 yards, highlighted by a 34-yard reception in the fourth quarter that pushed him past the 1,000-yard mark for the 2025 season. It was the seventh such milestone of his career. He wasn’t the focal point of the offense, but his presence provided stability, precision, and timely impact in moments that mattered.

Yet the significance of this game for Diggs went far beyond numbers. The veteran receiver has spent recent weeks navigating the most difficult stretch of his life, facing serious off-field assault allegations that have brought intense scrutiny and emotional strain. Diggs has remained largely silent publicly, choosing to focus inward and lean on the locker room around him as uncertainty followed him into the season’s final games.

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After the victory, Diggs quietly directed his gratitude toward one teammate who had consistently stood beside him: Drake Maye. The Patriots’ emerging franchise quarterback delivered another poised, efficient performance against Miami, further strengthening his growing MVP case. But for Diggs, Maye’s value extended well beyond the field. “When everything hit at once - the accusations, the noise, the questions - Drake never changed,” Diggs shared. “He kept checking on me, kept reminding me I wasn’t alone.”

That bond has become emblematic of this Patriots season. One player enduring personal turmoil. Another ascending rapidly toward league-wide recognition without losing empathy or perspective. As New England turns toward the postseason, the connection between Diggs and Maye reflects something deeper than wins or awards. It speaks to trust, quiet leadership, and the power of teammates lifting one another when the spotlight feels heaviest.

Just Three Hours After Being Released by the Packers, 2× Pro Bowl Star Deletes Every Post About Green Bay After His Attempt to Take a Pay Cut to Stay Was Rejected — His Vow Never to Return Leaves Packers Nation in Sympathy
Green Bay, Wisconsin – The offseason took an emotional turn for the Green Bay Packers when the organization decided to release veteran offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins as part of a salary-cap adjustment. But what happened just hours later turned the situation into one of the most emotional storylines of the week across the NFL. According to multiple reports, Jenkins — a two-time Pro Bowl selection and former All-Pro honoree — had attempted to negotiate with the team and even offered to take a pay cut in order to remain with the franchise that originally drafted him. The effort ultimately fell short as Green Bay chose to move forward with a roster reset, clearing nearly $20 million in cap space for the 2026 season. Just three hours after the release became official, fans began noticing something unusual on Jenkins’ social media accounts. Every post connected to his years in Green Bay — from locker room celebrations to photos wearing the iconic green-and-gold uniform — had quietly disappeared. Jenkins had been one of the pillars of the Packers’ offensive line since being selected in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Mississippi State. Throughout multiple seasons, he built a reputation for rare versatility, capable of playing guard, tackle, and center at an elite level, and was widely regarded as one of the most reliable and flexible offensive linemen in the league. At his peak, Jenkins was often described as Green Bay’s “secret weapon” on the offensive front. He protected multiple quarterbacks over the years and helped anchor an offense that consistently remained competitive during several playoff runs. His ability to seamlessly shift across nearly every position along the offensive line made him one of the most trusted players inside the Packers’ locker room. At first, the decision to erase those memories surprised many fans. But once reports surfaced that Jenkins had been willing to sacrifice financially just to remain with the team, the reaction across Packers Nation quickly shifted from shock to empathy. Green Bay will always hold a special place in my heart because it’s where my journey truly began. But sometimes you fight to stay somewhere and still realize that chapter has ended, and when that moment comes, the only thing you can do is walk away with respect for every memory that was built there. While Jenkins did not criticize the organization, sources close to the situation say the emotional weight of the release influenced his decision to remove the posts. What surprised many even more was the report that Jenkins has told people close to him that he does not plan to return to Green Bay at any point in his career, choosing instead to start an entirely new chapter elsewhere in the NFL. Yet instead of anger, the reaction from Packers fans has largely been one of understanding. For many supporters, Jenkins’ willingness to take a pay cut simply reinforced what they had long believed. He wasn’t just protecting the quarterback on Sundays.He was trying to protect a home he once hoped would last his entire career.