The Patriots released wide receiver Stefon Diggs in early March, but he may not have played his last down of their uniform. Still a free agent two months later, Diggs “would love” to re-sign with the Patriots, per Albert Breer of SI.com
While Breer can also be of the assumption the Patriots “love” Diggs, he notes a reunion could depend upon whether or not they acquire wideout A.J. Brown from the Eagles. It’s widely expected the 2 teams will swing a trade centering on Brown sometime after June 1, though they’ve not yet seen eye to eye on compensation.
The Eagles would spread $43.51MM in dead money over two years by moving Brown next month or later, whereas a pre-June 1 trade would force them to eat all the amount this season. They’d also lose over $20MM in cap space for 2026. That explains the delay on this months-long saga.
Brown is certainly one of the best receivers in Eagles history, but their offseason moves have seemingly prepared them for all times without the three-time Pro Bowler. General manager Howie Roseman moved up three spots in the primary round of the draft to pick out former USC star receiver Makai Lemon twentieth overall. Roseman also acquired Dontayvion Wicks from the Packers for 2 late-round picks after which immediately gave him a one-year, $12.5MM extension. The Lemon and Wicks pickups got here after the Eagles signed Marquise Brown and Elijah Moore in free agency. Moore is just not a lock to make the roster, but Lemon, Wicks, Brown and standout DeVonta Smith are in line for notable roles. The Eagles even have a powerful pair of pass-catching tight ends in Dallas Goedert and second-round rookie Eli Stowers.
Smith would take over because the Eagles’ clear-cut No. 1 receiver within the event of a Brown trade. Meanwhile, unless they reel in Brown, the Patriots may go into the season and not using a bona fide top dog on the position. They brought in certainly one of Wicks’ former teammates, Romeo Doubs, on a four-year, $68MM pact in free agency, though he was more of a No. 2/3 receiver in Green Bay than a primary goal. The Patriots even have Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas and Kyle Williams under contract on the position.
The Pats’ current group of receivers looks adequate, but Diggs handily outproduced all of them last season. Getting back from the torn ACL he suffered while with the Texans in October 2024, the four-time Pro Bowler played a 17-game season and was far and away the team leader in catches (85), targets (102) and yards (1,013). He also hauled in 4 touchdowns from MVP-contending quarterback Drake Maye. Diggs’ post-injury resurgence was key for a club that stunningly jumped from 4-13 to 14-3 in a one-year span. The Patriots won the AFC East, ending the Bills’ five-year run atop the division, and wound up falling to the Seahawks in Super Bowl LX.
A month after their season ended, the Patriots parted with Diggs to save lots of $18.5MM in spending room, though he still counts $9.7MM against their cap. Thanks partially to off-field legal troubles, there was little to no reported interest within the 32-year-old since he became available.
Diggs entered free agency facing strangulation and assault charges stemming from an alleged incident together with his former personal chef. Although a Boston jury acquitted Diggs on May 5, the NFL is continuous to review the matter. Diggs is arguably one of the best remaining receiver in a category that also includes the likes of Tyreek Hill, Deebo Samuel and Keenan Allen, but his market may not pick up until teams have a solution on whether the league will discipline him. It could also help Diggs’ cause to have clarity on Brown’s future.