New England Patriots
By releasing Diggs, New England is saving practically $17 million in cap house this offseason.
The New England Patriots are reportedly searching for a brand new prime vast receiver.
According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the Patriots are releasing veteran wideout Stefon Diggs, parting methods with the four-time Professional Bowler after only one season.
Diggs made probably the most of his one yr in Foxborough — serving as Drake Maye’s go-to goal amid a season the place the Patriots made all of it the way in which to Tremendous Bowl LX.
Regardless of changing into the primary Patriots participant to surpass 1,000 receiving yards since Julian Edelman did so in 2019, Diggs and the Patriots had been doubtlessly headed towards a cap-related headache this offseason.
Diggs — who signed a three-year contract with New England final March — was set to account for a large $26.8 million cap hit for the 2026 marketing campaign if he remained on the Patriots roster.
Of his sizable wage, $6.1 million was set to be absolutely assured by New England on March 13, prompting the Patriots to both reduce Diggs for cap reduction or attempt to construction his deal transferring ahead.
New England finally opted to maneuver on from Diggs — releasing up $16.8 million in cap house because of this.
“The Patriots didn’t wish to drag him alongside and knowledgeable him at present they’re transferring on, giving him a bounce begin,” NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero wrote on X of Diggs’ release. “He’ll be launched subsequent Wednesday.”
Diggs took to Instagram Wednesday afternoon to say his farewell to the Patriots and their followers.
“THANK YOU for a hell of a yr. We household eternally @Patriots,” Diggs wrote on his Instagram story. On Tuesday, Diggs appeared to have scrubbed his Instagram account.
Diggs entered the 2025 season with loads of query marks. Regardless of his standing as a former All-Professional wideout throughout his tenure with the Payments, Diggs was coming off a torn ACL that he suffered whereas enjoying for the Houston Texans in October 2024.
Regardless of each his age and that extreme damage, Diggs emerged as one of many key cogs on a 2025 Patriots squad that exceeded all expectations.
He completed the season with 85 catches for 1,013 yards and 4 touchdowns — whereas rising as a veteran voice within the locker room and a flag-bearer for Mike Vrabel’s reworked culture in Foxborough.
Nonetheless, questions arose this offseason over whether or not or not Diggs can be a long-term fixture in New England.
“[Expletive], until they decide out of the contract,” Diggs said after Super Bowl LX when requested if he expects to be again in Foxborough in 2026. “I anticipate being right here. I hope so. Love my guys. Hell of a yr enjoying with them. We constructed some actual family-like bonds, so I hope so. I don’t management it.”
Even together with his spectacular stat line, Diggs’ sizable cap hit in 2026 had the danger of hindering New England’s fiscal flexibility this offseason — particularly with the Patriots needing to account for a number of deficiencies throughout the depth chart.
Given Diggs’ age and quiet postseason (14 catches, 110 yards, one landing over 4 video games), New England additionally needed to weigh whether or not or not an older wideout like Diggs was value an over $25 million cap hit.
Diggs can be dealing with authorized points in Massachusetts. The Professional Bowl vast receiver is facing charges of assault and strangulation over an alleged incident with a lady who labored as his private chef. He pleaded not guilty to those charges whereas showing at Massachusetts’s Dedham District Court docket on Feb. 13.
According to OverTheCap, New England is anticipated to have over $56 million in cap house after slicing Diggs and gaining that extra $16.8 million.
However, New England now has so as to add a confirmed WR1 to pair with Maye transferring ahead, particularly with Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins being the subsequent pass-catchers up on the depth chart.
New England may pursue trades for wideouts like A.J. Brown or Brian Thomas Jr. this spring, or they may allocate a few of that cap house and attempt to win the looming bidding war for Colts receiver Alec Pierce.
Join the At present publication
Get all the things it is advisable to know to begin your day, delivered proper to your inbox each morning.
