Patriots stars admit they never expected this level of success after signing with team

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Patriots stars admit they never expected this level of success after signing with team

Mark Daniels · MassLive

Mon, Jan 5, 2026 ·

3 min read

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FOXBOROUGH – This offseason, the Patriots had money to spend, and unlike the offseason before, the team was able to land multiple high-priced free agents.

The Patriots ’ two biggest signings were defensive tackle Milton Williams and receiver Stefon Diggs . Williams was one of the team’s top targets to help fortify the defensive line. Diggs gave the Patriots a legitimate offensive weapon for Drake Maye .

It was an exciting offseason, but that rarely leads to exciting results.

This year, after back-to-back 4-win seasons, the Patriots defied the odds to finish 14-3. For Williams and Diggs, the results have been surprising. When asked if they expected his type of success when signing with the Patriots, both veterans said, “No.”

Now, they hope to keep up the team’s winning ways in the playoffs, starting with the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round .

“I’m not going to lie, no, I didn’t. I didn’t. I really didn’t know what to expect,” Williams said. “I listen to what my coaches tell me. I just feed into this team, feed into the young guys. Just trying to be a good vet for those guys. We’ve had a lot of success, put on tape what works, and we have to keep doing it.”

Diggs signed a 3-year, $69 million contract with the Patriots and came to New England with a general idea that a good foundation was in place. Last season, the receiver was in Houston and played the Patriots when Drake Maye started his first game.

The Texans won big that day, 41-21, but the then-rookie quarterback made a solid impression. Against a tough Houston defense, Maye finished with 243 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also ran five times for 38 yards.

Although Diggs said he didn’t expect the Patriots to go from 4 wins to 14, he knew he’d be playing with a good young quarterback and more.

“No, I just knew that we had a good young quarterback,” Diggs said. “You can’t say he had a promising future, but it damn sure looked like it. We played him last year when I was in Houston, and was like, ‘That kid got some stuff with him.’ You never know when they’re super young, but going into the season, I knew that coach Vrabes was an amazing coach. I knew McDaniels knew how to draw it up.

“I knew there was a good quarterback. I was surprised when I got around the receivers how gifted they were… I’m just blessed to be where I’m at. I’m excited for us. I know that we’re up for whatever challenge is in front of us. I’m going to keep saying it, I like us.”

Williams was the Patriots’ prized free-agent addition. He signed a 4-year deal worth $104 million. That made the defensive tackle the highest-paid player in team history.

When asked what he thinks the biggest factor is for the Patriots’ turnaround, he pointed to Mike Vrabel.

“I’d say the entire organization – the coaching staff, training staff, strength staff,” Williams said. “Coach Vrabel runs a tight ship. He holds everybody accountable. Makes sure everybody is where they’re supposed to be when they’re supposed to be there. Just our brotherhood in the locker room, fighting for one another each and every day.”

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