Patriots Legend Julian Edelman Defends Stefon Diggs After Troy Aikman Criticizes His Performance on Live TV – And Stefon’s Classy Response Makes the Entire NFL Bow in Respect
A tense moment unfolded right after the New England Patriots’ 32-13 victory over the Cleveland Browns. In the post-game commentary show, NFL legend Troy Aikman bluntly criticized Stefon Diggs’ performance, stating that the star who once had six seasons with 100+ receptions “is no longer himself” and “is just a shadow of his past at age 31”.
This statement quickly sparked controversy on social media — and the first person to stand up in defense of Diggs was Patriots legend Julian Edelman, the former icon of Foxborough.
On FOX Sports Daily, Edelman stated firmly: “He’s in that phase where everyone doubts him, just like I was doubted once. But Foxborough isn’t a place to listen to criticism – this is a place to prove it. And let me tell you, Diggs won’t just respond with words – he’ll make the entire NFL remember why they used to fear guarding No. 14.”
Edelman’s post garnered over 250,000 likes in just a few hours, with a flood of supportive comments. Many Patriots fans wrote: “If Edelman says Diggs still has fire, we believe it.”
In reality, after an ACL injury at the end of the 2024 season and a slow start in New England, Diggs is still displaying astonishing consistency: 42 receptions, 470 yards, and 1 touchdown through 8 weeks. He leads the team in targets and catch rate, becoming a key player in the offensive system of rookie Drake Maye.
And when asked about Aikman’s comment, Stefon Diggs did not react harshly — instead, he displayed a calm and classy demeanor that made the entire NFL admire him.
“He’s in that phase where everyone doubts him, just like I was doubted once. But Foxborough isn’t a place to listen to criticism – this is a place to prove it. And let me tell you, Diggs won’t just respond with words – he’ll make the entire NFL remember why they used to fear guarding No. 14.”
That statement left the press room silent for a few seconds — and then it erupted in applause.
Since then, the hashtag #InDiggsWeTrust has spread across Patriots Nation on social media. Several ESPN analysts commented that Diggs’ response “is a declaration for the entire team,” showing the discipline and hunger of New England under Mike Vrabel.
If there’s anything Aikman got right, it’s this: Stefon Diggs is no longer himself – he’s becoming a stronger and more resilient version than ever before, in Patriots colors.
