Although the Patriots released wide receiver Stefon Diggs in March, the four-time Pro Bowler was reportedly open to a brand new take care of the team as of mid-May. As expected, though, the Patriots went on to amass wideout A.J. Brown from the Eagles a few weeks later. With Brown now the leader of a crowded receiving corps, Diggs will probably should look elsewhere.
When head coach Mike Vrabel met with reporters Wednesday, he downplayed the possibilities of the Patriots re-signing Diggs, saying (via Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald), “Straight away, I don’t think that that’s something that I believe we’re exploring, but I’d never say no.”
Diggs gave the Patriots strong production in what ended up because the only season of his three-year, $63.3MM contract with the team. In his return from the torn ACL he suffered in 2024 with the Texans, Diggs stayed healthy and led the Patriots in receptions (85), targets (121) and yards (1,013). He also caught 4 touchdowns, helping the Pats to a remarkable one-year turnaround during which they went from 4-13 to 14-3.
Recent England advanced all of the method to Super Bowl LX, however the team couldn’t overcome Seattle in a 29-13 loss. The Patriots gave Diggs the ax a number of weeks later and opened up $16.8MM in cap space at the price of $9.7MM in dead money. On the time, Diggs was facing strangulation and assault charges for an alleged incident along with his former personal chef. He was found not guilty in early May, though the league has continued to review the matter. It’s unclear if he’ll face any discipline.
While the 32-year-old Diggs stands out as the best receiver left in free agency, Vrabel noted the Patriots are “joyful” with the choices they’ve. Beyond Brown, the club has expensive free agent pickup Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins,2025 third-round pick Kyle Williams, Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas and Efton Chism in its top seven. Hollins and Williams are “near-locks” for roster spots, based on Kyed. Alternatively, Boutte has come up as a trade candidate. He’s reportedly open to a change of scenery, however the fourth-year man claims he continues to be content in Recent England.
“I wouldn’t mind being here,” Boutte said this week (via Chad Graff of The Athletic): “I do need to be here.”
With Brown and Doubs playing on big-money deals, Boutte is just not in good position to sign an extension as he heads right into a contract 12 months, Graff notes. At the identical time, Graff doesn’t imagine the Patriots are so well off on the position that they might give Boutte away for a late-round pick. Meanwhile, Douglas is reportedly on the roster bubble and might lose his spot to Chism, who could possibly be the Patriots’ kick returner.
Although one other agreement with Diggs appears unlikely, the Patriots could also be out there for tight end help after losing Julian Hill to an undisclosed injury. They brought in the previous Dolphin three-year, $15MM pact in free agency, but he abruptly went on season-ending IR on June 1.
Asked a few potential tight end addition, Vrabel said (via Kyed), “I believe that’s somewhere where we’d have to handle.”
The Patriots have a clear-cut No. 1 tight end in Hunter Henry. In addition they drafted Eli Raridon within the third round this 12 months. CJ Dippre, Jack Westover and undrafted rookie Tanner Arkin round out the group, but they might have company soon.