Veteran Wide Receiver Stefon Diggs Set To Be Released By New England Patriots
The New England Patriots have officially decided to release Stefon Diggs. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Patriots informed Diggs that he would be cut at the start of the new league year on March 11. Just like that, one of the most electric receivers in the game is packing his bags and heading into free agency.
Diggs, for his part, kept it classy on the way out. He took to Instagram with a simple, heartfelt message: “THANK YOU for a hell of a year. We family forever.” No drama, no finger-pointing — just a man saying goodbye with his head held high. Where will the veteran wideout end up?
Why the Patriots Let Diggs Go
Diggs carried a cap hit of $26.5 million, and an additional $6 million was set to become fully guaranteed the moment the new league year kicked off. The Patriots, who are very much in rebuild mode under young Quarterback Drake Maye, looked at that number and decided to pump the brakes.
It stings, sure. But when you’re trying to build a roster around a franchise quarterback who’s still learning the ropes, spending $26.5 million on one wide receiver is a tough pill to swallow, especially when that receiver also has some serious legal troubles hanging over his head. Last month, Diggs pleaded not guilty to strangulation and assault charges, a situation that no organization wants anywhere near their locker room.
What Diggs Brought to New England
He finished the regular season with 1,013 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, leading the team in production at the wideout position. Diggs gave Maye a legitimate weapon to grow with, and watching those two connect downfield was honestly one of the brighter storylines of the season.
The fact that it ended this way feels like one of those “what could have been” moments that fans will be talking about for years. A four-time Pro Bowler, still producing over 1,000 yards at this stage of his career. Gone. Just like that.
Who Replaces Diggs in New England?
The Patriots don’t just need a receiver. They need the receiver. Names are already circulating, and one keeps coming up louder than the rest: A.J. Brown.
ESPN and CBS Sports have both floated the idea of Brown landing in New England, and it makes a lot of sense. Brown is a physical, reliable target who has proven he can carry an offense when needed. He’s the kind of receiver that makes a young quarterback better just by being on the field. Could it happen? The rumors say yes. Whether the price is right is another conversation entirely.
What This Means For Diggs
Diggs isn’t done. Not even close. He just put up over 1,000 yards. There will be teams calling. There will be front offices watching his film and seeing a receiver who still has something left in the tank. The legal situation will give some teams pause, but talent has a funny way of winning people over.
Where he lands next could define how this chapter of his career is remembered. A fresh start, a motivated Diggs, and the right offensive system? That could be appointment television. For now, the Patriots move forward. A new era is beginning in New England, and Diggs won’t be part of it. But for one season, he gave them everything he had.
