Reunion between Patriots, Stefon Diggs reportedly unlikely despite interest

Regardless of seemingly rising curiosity on Stefon Diggs’s social media web page with re-joining the Patriots for this coming season, a reunion between the perimeters is reportedly nonetheless seen as unlikely in league circles.

Albert Breer offered an replace on Diggs, stating that whereas the 32-year-old has an actual curiosity in re-signing in New England, and the crew loves him, the approaching A.J. Brown commerce is a roadblock in making that reunion occur.

“I do suppose an A.J. Brown commerce will occur. I additionally don’t suppose, for quite a lot of causes, you’ll see Diggs and A.J. Brown collectively in New England,” Breer wrote in his mailbag column. “Now, I imagine the Patriots love Diggs, and Diggs would like to return. However any sensible speak about his return, to me, hinges on whether or not the Brown commerce occurs. Assuming Brown does grow to be a Patriot, I believe Diggs will most likely be someplace in that one-year, $10 million vary.”

The Patriots can be taking up the vast majority of Brown’s wage after they commerce for him; that was a key cause for the commerce talks being tabled till June 1. So, New England can be on the books for his $32 million AAV contract, together with the $68 million they’re resulting from pay newly acquired receiver Romeo Doubs over the subsequent 4 years.

Breer doesn’t appear to see a world the place the Patriots would allocate one other chunk of cap house to Diggs to make him basically the third huge receiver on the crew. And it’s additionally not a certainty that Diggs would embrace the position of a 3rd huge receiver, contemplating he’s coming off a 1,000-yard receiving season as the highest receiver in Foxborough.

That stated, the thought of getting Brown, Diggs, Doubs, Hunter Henry, Rhamondre Stevenson, and TreVeyon Henderson all as weapons for Drake Maye will surely be a dream state of affairs after the way in which final season panned out. Down the stretch, it grew to become clear New England was outgunned by way of offensive weapons, resorting to profitable shut, low-scoring video games within the playoffs earlier than placing up little or no offense in its Tremendous Bowl loss to Seattle.

If the Patriots did make a daring transfer and re-sign Diggs, their offense can be one of many league’s greatest on paper. However is it sensible to depend on that transfer? In all probability not, at the very least in keeping with Breer.

Both method, New England has made enhancements offensively that ought to make for an thrilling 2026, particularly if and when the commerce for Brown lastly goes by way of.