New England Patriots
“That [post] appeared like, Hey, I am open for enterprise, proper? Like — ‘Anyone need me?’ type of factor.”
Only a few days after he was found not guilty of assaulting and strangling his former live-in chef in a pay dispute, ex-Patriots wideout Stefon Diggs took to Instagram to make his pitch for any NFL staff this offseason.
“This isn’t an opinion-based sport, so listed below are the numbers. I performed 52% of the snaps and completed with 85 catches for 1,045 yards coming off an ACL,” Diggs mentioned on social media about his regular-season credentials in New England. “The place we going?”
Diggs’ feedback drew a number of responses from former Patriots teammates, with Christian Gonzalez replying, “To the pats” regarding the veteran wideout’s subsequent vacation spot.
Contemplating Diggs’ manufacturing throughout his lone season in New England, longtime Patriots reporter Phil Perry admitted on the “Patriots Speak” podcast that he’s stunned that Diggs hasn’t attracted loads of suitors thus far this offseason.
What’s attention-grabbing concerning the Diggs’ commentary is that it makes it sound as if he’s been ready for calls. … That [post] appeared like, Hey, I’m open for enterprise, proper? Like — ‘Anyone need me?’ type of factor,” Perry acknowledged. “And in order that surprises me slightly bit.”
Although the Patriots opted to release Diggs in March as a way to release further cap house shifting ahead, his standing as an unsigned free agent at this stage of the NFL offseason calendar is value noting.
New England won’t have had a lot of an urge for food to retain Diggs on his earlier deal, given the assured cash that was coming his means had the Patriots not launched him.
However when factoring in Diggs’ chemistry with Drake Maye, established manufacturing final season, and his standing as a veteran chief in New England’s locker room, might the Patriots probably deliver again Diggs on a less expensive contract if he can’t reel in additional suitors?
Even with New England signing wideout Romeo Doubs to a four-year, $68 million contract in March, Diggs might nonetheless thrive in Josh McDaniels’ system, particularly if utilized in additional of a short-yardage function — somewhat than his earlier standing because the membership’s unquestioned No. 1 wideout.
Nevertheless, Perry pushed again in opposition to speak of a Diggs reunion in Foxborough, particularly given the a number of stories linking the Patriots to a potential A.J. Brown blockbuster trade in early June.
“In the event that they miss out on A.J Brown, I assume that’s a distinct matter, or it simply provides it a brand new wrinkle that I’m probably not contemplating proper now,” Perry mentioned. “With A.J. Brown anticipated to be within the fold, I don’t see Stefon Diggs coming again. I don’t actually assume this courtroom case had something to do with the Patriots releasing him.”
Regardless of the potential enchantment of retaining Diggs on a extra inexpensive deal, Perry harassed that Diggs may need maxed out his worth as a one-year stopgap for a Patriots franchise that wanted to rely closely on veterans to orchestrate a formidable turnaround season in 2025.
Given Diggs’ age and the a number of distractions that sprouted up across the veteran in 2025, Perry believes that the Patriots are higher suited to simply transfer on — particularly if New England manages so as to add a No. 1 receiver in Brown subsequent month.
“There’s loads happening right here, proper? And there was throughout his time right here in New England. Not that it was overwhelming. And clearly, he had an important 12 months. But it surely type of began with the pink, unidentified substance on the boat whereas he was away from the staff. And it ended primarily with this courtroom case.
“I feel that the transfer to half methods with him was extra about cash owed and age and a willingness and a need to improve, which I feel they assume they’ve performed with Romeo Dobbs. Earlier than even including A.J Brown, I feel they assume they’re higher off at that place proper now.”
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