Morning Sports Update
“I would say what the New England Patriots have in store for us over the next week is going to be really fascinating.”
A.J. Brown after scoring a touchdown for the Eagles in Oct. 2025. AP Photo/Abbie Parr
March 5, 2026 | 11:11 AM
3 minutes to read
Patriots looking to the future: The Patriots’ decision to cut wide receiver Stefon Diggs has only added to the ongoing speculation about the team’s offseason plans at the wide receiver position.
Opting to move on from the 32-year-old Diggs is notable itself, especially after he became the first Patriots wide receiver since Julian Edelman in 2019 to cross the 1,000-yard receiving yards threshold in the 2025 season. Following the reports on Wednesday about Diggs, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport spoke about the situation.
“What the Patriots did is really what the Patriots have done for the last several decades, honestly, as they move on maybe a season too early rather than a season too late,” he said. “Stefon Diggs’s legal issues have been very much in the news before the Super Bowl. He also is going to be 33 years old, [was] also due a lot of money. The Patriots had some doubts about his availability or his play. His actual ability going forward. They decided to move on now.”
By cutting Diggs (who was heading into the second year of a three-year deal), New England will create $16.8 million in additional cap space. It adds to the substantial amount of space that the Patriots already had. This, in Rapoport’s opinion, creates an even more intriguing dynamic for New England following Diggs’s exit.
“The other part of this is what do they have up their sleeve?” Rapoport said of the Patriots’ front office. “Wouldn’t be surprised if the Patriots ended up trading for a wide receiver. A.J. Brown…would certainly be the name to discuss here.
“He’s been with Mike Vrabel. They have not been shy about making some big moves,” Rapoport explained. “I would say what the New England Patriots have in store for us over the next week is going to be really fascinating, whether they add to the receiver room or a big piece somewhere else, they now have kind of cleared the decks salary cap-wise.”
The new league year (and the beginning of NFL free agency) starts on March 11 at 4 p.m.
From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: The #Patriots released WR Stefon Diggs today, clearing the deck for a possible big-time acquisition. pic.twitter.com/lCuJJwcBYZ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 5, 2026
Trivia: What fellow Pro Bowl receiver was A.J. Brown’s college teammate at Ole Miss?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: He was drafted by the Seahawks in the same round and the same draft as Brown.
Scores and schedules:
The Celtics lost to the Hornets 118-89 on Wednesday. Boston will play the Mavericks on Friday at TD Garden at 7 p.m.
The Bruins face the Predators in Nashville tonight at 8 p.m.
The Boston Fleet play the New York Sirens in Newark, New Jersey tonight at 7 p.m.
More from Boston.com:
Payton Tolle’s day: Though the Red Sox lost to the Yankees in a spring training game on Wednesday, Payton Tolle looked sharp in three innings of relief. His fastball topped out at over 100 mph.
Payton Tolle racks up SEVEN punchouts over three scoreless frames for the @RedSox.
MLB’s No. 19 prospect reached 100.2 mph with his 70-grade four-seamer in the outing. pic.twitter.com/a1WOqlX1sn
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 4, 2026
A Norwell miracle: From earlier this week, Norwell senior Nick Fein hit a half-court buzzer-beater to stun Swampscott. The win kept Norwell’s hopes alive of repeating as Division 3 state champs.
What an amazing ending! Nick Fein with the half court buzzer beater to give Norwell a 43-42 victory over Swampscott. The Clipper advance to the elite 8! pic.twitter.com/x6vrzJr9an
— Norwell HS Athletics (@ClipperAD) March 4, 2026
On this day: One year ago, Payton Pritchard (43 points) and Derrick White (41 points) both set career highs in scoring during a 128-118 Celtics win over the Trail Blazers.
Daily highlight: William Osula scored an outrageous winning goal for Newcastle United against Manchester United on Wednesday.
Trivia answer: DK Metcalf
Hayden Bird is a sports staff writer for Boston.com, where he has worked since 2016. He covers all things sports in New England.
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