In a stunning admission that has sent shockwaves through the NFL community, New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels has pinpointed a critical issue plaguing the team’s struggling passing attack. Speaking candidly about the team’s recent woes, McDaniels revealed that opposing defenses have been aggressively doubling star wide receiver Stefon Diggs and tight end Hunter Henry, effectively neutralizing the Patriots’ top aerial threats. This revelation comes on the heels of a disheartening Week 15 collapse against the Buffalo Bills, where the offense managed just seven points after halftime.
The comments, first reported by MassLive.com’s Mark Daniels, highlight a growing trend that has hampered the Patriots’ ability to move the ball through the air. In a tweet posted on December 18, 2025, Daniels shared McDaniels’ insights: “Josh McDaniels notes that teams have been doubling Stefon Diggs and Hunter Henry. The Patriots need to find ways to combat that in the final weeks.” The post quickly garnered attention, amassing over 400 replies as fans and analysts dissected the implications for a team already fighting for playoff relevance.
The Bills Game: A Microcosm of the Struggle
The problem was glaringly evident during New England’s matchup with Buffalo, a game that saw the Patriots’ offense sputter in the second half. McDaniels elaborated on the defensive schemes employed by the Bills, noting, “They doubled Stef (Diggs) a number of times in the game the other day.” As reported by Daniels’ colleague Karen Guregian, McDaniels added, “There’s teams that haven’t done anything like that. And teams that are starting to sprinkle some things in there … there’s no shortcut to winning against man-to-man coverage. It’s a one-on-one game across the board. Sometimes you have a scheme that’s really perfect for it. Sometimes you do not.”
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Diggs, a four-time Pro Bowler with six 1,000-yard receiving seasons under his belt, was held to a meager three catches in the loss—a far cry from his explosive potential. The veteran receiver attempted to remain optimistic post-game, but his frustration was palpable. Henry, meanwhile, saw only three targets, underscoring how defenses are now treating him as a primary threat, especially in the red zone where his reliable hands have been a staple for second-year quarterback Drake Maye.
This defensive focus has left Maye, a potential league MVP candidate, without his safety valves. The young QB has shown flashes of brilliance, but the inability of his receivers to win one-on-one matchups has stifled the offense’s rhythm. As McDaniels emphasized, the key to overcoming these doubles lies in better schematic adjustments and individual victories at the line of scrimmage.
Diggs’ Diminishing Role: A Cause for Concern
At the heart of the issue is Diggs’ reduced involvement. Once a focal point of high-powered offenses, the wideout has expressed discomfort with his shrinking target share. McDaniels has tried to downplay the shift, but the numbers don’t lie: the Patriots’ big-play potential skyrockets when No. 8 is heavily featured. However, unlocking Diggs requires addressing upstream problems, starting with the offensive line.
Maye has been sacked a staggering 43 times through 14 games, per Pro Football Reference, a statistic that ranks among the league’s worst. The absence of rookie left tackle Will Campbell, sidelined on injured reserve, has exacerbated the protection issues. Improved pocket time would give Diggs those crucial extra seconds to shake free from double coverage and create separation.
But protection alone isn’t enough. To truly free Diggs, the Patriots need to dilute defensive attention by elevating other options in the passing game.
Henry’s Crowded Lanes and the Lack of Depth
Hunter Henry has been a dependable outlet for Maye, excelling between the numbers and in scoring situations. Yet, defenses have caught on, bumping him at the line and bracketing him in space. This “new blueprint,” as McDaniels described it, has limited Henry’s impact, turning what should be a mismatch nightmare for opponents into a neutralized asset.
The real bombshell? The Patriots lack a reliable third option to draw coverage away from their stars. Mack Hollins, who saw an expanded role against Buffalo, faced backlash for his underwhelming performance. Fellow wideouts DeMario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte have combined for fewer than 60 receptions this season, failing to emerge as consistent playmakers. Without a game-breaker stepping up, Diggs and Henry remain the sole focus of defensive coordinators league-wide.
McDaniels’ Challenge: Innovation or Bust
As a six-time Super Bowl champion with the Patriots, McDaniels has earned praise for his protective schemes around Maye. But with the season hanging in the balance, the onus is on him to innovate. Whether through motion, rub routes, or creative personnel groupings, McDaniels must devise ways to combat the doubles and reignite the offense.
“We need to find ways to combat that in the final weeks,” McDaniels stated plainly. For a team that started the year with high hopes around Maye’s development and Diggs’ addition, this revelation could be the wake-up call needed to salvage the campaign—or a sign of deeper systemic issues.
As the Patriots prepare for their next matchup, all eyes will be on how they adapt. Will Diggs and Henry break free, or will the doubles continue to dictate New England’s fate? The answer could define the rest of their 2025 season.