After a whirlwind first season with the New England Patriots, Stefon Diggs’ tenure in Foxborough is already over. The move may come as a surprise to some, considering the four-time Pro Bowl receiver signed a three-year deal with the team in 2025. But ultimately, it appears the Patriots decided the juice wasn’t worth the squeeze.
As the team’s primary option at receiver, Diggs posted 1,013 yards and four touchdowns during the 2025 season. Still, after 11 NFL seasons, the veteran is now searching for his fifth home in the league. At this stage of his career, Diggs is no longer simply a star changing teams — he is entering the part of his career where fit, cost, and timing matter just as much as production.
Why Did the Patriots Release Diggs?
There are a few obvious factors that may have contributed to Diggs landing back on the market. For one, it was reported that his contract would have counted $26.5 million against the Patriots’ salary cap if he returned. It is fair to assume New England believed it could find similar production at a lower price.
The timing of the move also comes as Diggs has faced an unusual amount of public attention off the field. His relationship with Cardi B was highly publicized, especially as it unfolded in the wake of her split from Offset. For a stretch, the Patriots arguably never looked cooler than when Cardi was in the stands.
But that attention only intensified when rumors — and later reports — surfaced that Diggs was also expecting a child with Aileen Lopera during the same period. Whether any of that mattered to the Patriots internally is unclear. What is clear is that Diggs’ name has recently generated as many headlines off the field as on it, and teams tend to prefer fewer complications when making expensive roster decisions.
What’s Next for Diggs?
This upcoming NFL season could be a prove-it year for Diggs. He may need to accept a shorter deal at a lower number and show teams that he can still be a high-level contributor with football as the clear priority.
As for possible suitors, a few familiar types come to mind. The New York Jets are always a team willing to make a splash in pursuit of relevance, and pairing Diggs with Garrett Wilson would give them a formidable receiving duo. Of course, money talks, and any deal would likely come down to whether both sides can find the right number.
Then there is a team like the New York Giants, who already have Malik Nabers as a strong option at receiver but could still use more support, especially with injuries having derailed much of their 2025 campaign. Adding Diggs at the right price, along with a new head coach shaping the offense, could help stabilize that unit.
There should be no shortage of interest in a player with Diggs’ résumé. But at this point, any next chapter is likely to come with compromise — on money, on role, or on expectations.
At this stage of his career, the question is no longer whether Diggs can produce. It’s whether a team believes the production still outweighs everything else that comes with him.