Stefon Diggs is coming off an impressive season where he recorded over 1,000 yards and helped the New England Patriots reach the Super Bowl. After tearing his ACL midway through the 2024 season, Diggs signed a prove-it contract in New England and showed he can still be a dangerous weapon in a high-octane passing attack. While he wasn’t as dominant as he was during the peak of his career, it’s safe to say that New England would not have been nearly as successful without him.
Despite all this, the Patriots released him following the 2025 season. The two sides parted on good terms, but Diggs’ contract, combined with his (at the time) pending legal charges, forced New England to release him. However, a jury recently found Diggs not guilty of felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault, which should help him get back on the field. Assuming the legal woes are behind him, Stefon Diggs is probably the best player remaining on the free agent market and will should receive interest from several teams across the league. However, a recent Instagram post suggests Diggs is hoping to return to Foxboro.
Stefon Diggs Hints at Patriots Return After Not Guilty Verdict
New England Patriots superstar cornerback Christian Gonzalez recently commented on one of Diggs’ Instagram posts, saying the wide receiver should return to the Patriots. Stefon Diggs responded with the “eyes” emoji, which heavily suggests the wide receiver wants to return. Obviously, this is far from official, and Gonzalez is not responsible for signing players to new contracts. With that out of the way, it’s easy to see why a reunion could make sense for both sides.
The Patriots improved the roster over the past few months, but there’s still plenty of work to be done. As things currently stand, the Patriots wide receiver room consists of Kayshon Boutte, Demario Douglas, Kyle Williams, Mack Hollins, and free agent signee Romeo Doubs. All of these players are fine weapons when utilized in the right role, but none of them are legitimate 1,000-yard threats. Boutte and Doubs are fine complementary receivers, Hollins is a solid intermediate threat, and Douglas can stretch the field and run gadget plays. However, New England lacks a consistent down-to-down option who can routinely get open and make plays on all three levels of the field.
Stefon Diggs has the potential to be that weapon, and New England should seriously consider bringing him back. While he’s no longer a perennial Pro Bowler, he was the team’s first 1,000-yard receiver since Julian Edelman. The Patriots have the league’s biggest competitive advantage in Drake Maye’s rookie contract, so they might as well maximize this window of opportunity by surrounding the quarterback with as many game-changing weapons as they can find.
The A.J. Brown Trade
Of course, it’s impossible to discuss the Patriots’ wide receiver room without talking about A.J. Brown. While the wide receiver is still technically a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, everyone in the world knows they’re going to trade him after June 1st. The Eagles loaded up on wide receivers in the offseason, trading for Dontayvion Wicks and trading up for USC’s Makai Lemon in the first round. The Eagles can split Brown’s dead money over two seasons if they wait until after June 1st to trade him, and everyone knows the Patriots want him.
If the Patriots simply send a draft pick for A.J. Brown, they probably won’t re-sign Stefon Diggs. Brown can be the top option this offense desperately needs, and it would be hard to fit Diggs onto the roster. However, if New England trades Kayshon Boutte and a lesser pick for Brown, then they should consider re-signing Diggs. Brown, Diggs, and Doubs might not be the 2007 New England Patriots, but it’s a solid group that should get the most out of budding superstar Drake Maye.
