Patriots Release Stefon Diggs
The New England Patriots are releasing wide receiver Stefon Diggs after just one season. The move comes as part of a wider offensive recalibration for the Patriots, who struggled to find consistency this past season. Diggs should have no shortage of suitors on the open market given his track record as a top-tier receiver.
The New England Patriots' decision to release Stefon Diggs was primarily a financial one, driven by a significant increase in his salary cap number. His cap hit was scheduled to jump from a manageable $10.5 million in his first season to $26.5 million. By releasing him, the Patriots will save approximately $16.8 million against the 2026 salary cap, though they will incur a dead cap hit of $9.7 million. Before his release, the Patriots attempted to negotiate a restructured contract with Diggs to lessen the upcoming cap burden, but he declined the proposal. The backloaded nature of the three-year, $63.5 million deal he signed last offseason gave the organization the flexibility to move on if they could not reach a new agreement. A $6 million roster bonus that was due to him if he remained on the roster was a key factor in the timing of his release. In his lone season in New England, Diggs was the team's leading receiver, recording 85 catches for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns. He was the most targeted receiver for second-year quarterback Drake Maye and a veteran presence in the locker room. This production was a significant reason why the Patriots' wide receiver corps' performance greatly improved from the previous season. The move comes after a successful 14-3 season for the Patriots, which included a trip to Super Bowl LX. The offense was one of the league's best, ranking second in points per game. However, Diggs' production saw a dip in the postseason, where he had 14 catches for 110 yards and one touchdown over four games. Diggs' release leaves a significant void at the top of the Patriots' wide receiver depth chart. With his departure, Mack Hollins is currently positioned as the team's most experienced wide receiver. Head coach Mike Vrabel has indicated that the team may look to the NFL draft to find their next number one receiver. Adding another layer to the situation is an off-field legal issue Diggs is facing. While the team has not publicly connected his release to these pending charges, it is a factor that adds to the complexity of his departure.
