No risk. No reward.

That hasn’t been the Patriots usual mantra in free agency.

Until now.

Whether it’s players they’ve signed, or players they’ve attempted to sign (see Chris Godwin), they’ve over-spent, and thrown some caution to the wind.

It’s about time.

The signing of Stefon Diggs Tuesday was just the latest example. The Patriots are gambling on an older player coming off an injury. They’re rolling the dice on a diva receiver whose reputation isn’t exactly spotless.

And, they’re paying the 31-year-old Diggs a hefty sum – three-years, $69 million with $26 million guaranteed – with the hope of hitting the jackpot.

Of course, it could blow up in their face, but Diggs is a gamble the Patriots had to take.

After back-to-back 4-13 seasons, and being a place top free agents have avoided like the plague, this is exactly what the Patriots had to do in the open market.

Whether getting the desired target, or having to pivot to Plan B, C, or beyond, Mike Vrabel is doing what’s needed to change the existing narrative.

He said the Patriots were going to be aggressive in free agency, and with certain players, that’s very much been the case.

They refused to let star defensive tackle Milton Williams sign with Carolina, reeling in arguably the best defensive free agent with an 11th-hour offer.

They over-extended to land Carlton Davis III in order to give the team one of the best corner tandems in the league paired with Christian Gonzalez.

And now, they’ve brought in Diggs to give Drake Maye a legitimate weapon.

To this point, it’s been an off-season that, at the very least, offers more promise for the upcoming season.

While there is still a whopping hole to fill at left tackle – one they still desperately need to fill – and have a few others at left guard and No. 2 receiver, Vrabel & Co. have made the Patriots a better team.

That wasn’t the case last year at this same point in free agency.

Between returning many players from a woeful 4-win team, not landing any premium free agents, and having an inexperienced coaching staff, it was hard to get excited.

Already, there’s a little more buzz about the 2025 team, and a little more hope for what it might accomplish.

The defense has largely been rebuilt, and with a more talented group, and more speed at every level, that unit figures to wreak more havoc with opposing offenses.

As for the Patriots offense, that’s still a bit behind, but signing right tackle Morgan Moses, center Garrett Bradbury, adding Diggs to the receiver room along with Mack Hollins, there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

The Patriots still have to produce on the field, but they have better tools to work with. And, more to come in the draft.

Of course, left tackle remains a sore spot. And while that’s troubling, they’re going to have to rely on the draft to take care of that hole.

Does Diggs answer the receiver issue?

Not completely. He’s no longer a true No. 1 receiver, but he helps elevate the talent level around Maye. They still need more, but he was a necessary start.

Diggs, who tore his ACL in October and is said to be ahead of schedule for a return, is a four-time Pro Bowler. In his prime, he was arguably the best receiver in the game.

He’s tough, uber-competitive, and still is one of the best route-runners the game has to offer.

While he might be on the down side of his career, he’s still better than anyone in the Patriots currently have in receiver room.

New receivers coach Todd Downing worked with Diggs in Minnesota, so there’s familiarity. Many of the new arrivals have ties to Vrabel and the coaching staff.

So basically, they know exactly what they’re getting, warts and all.

At the very least, the Patriots have raised the floor for this team. The roster is better, the talent level has been elevated, especially with their big splash signings (Williams, Diggs).

There’s no reason they shouldn’t be more competitive, and win more games.

They’ve taken positive steps. What shakes out during the season will ultimately decide how players feel about coming to Foxborough in the future.

For now, using the cash at their disposal, spending outrageously in some instances in free agency to land a few stars along with a healthy dose of solid players, is a good recipe to get the Patriots turned around.

Add in a successful draft, one they can look back on and call a home run, and the Patriots will truly be back in business.

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