New England Patriots
“I never like to rule anything out.”
Stefon Diggs has yet to sign with a team in free agency. AP Photo/Julio Cortez
The Patriots made the call to release Stefon Diggs after just one season in New England, with the veteran wideout’s expected $26.8 million cap hit too much for the Patriots to stomach in 2026.
New England pivoted this offseason, allocating some of that freed-up cap space toward a younger wideout in Romeo Doubs. But, the Patriots could still use another proven pass-catcher to pair with Drake Maye moving forward.
And, with Diggs still yet to sign with a team three weeks into free agency, could the Patriots circle back and try to sign the veteran receiver on a cheaper deal?
Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf was asked about a potential reunion with Diggs while making an appearance on the “Up & Adams” show Monday morning.
“Yeah, I never like to rule anything out,” Wolf said of Diggs. “There’s always different scenarios that come up, whether you have an injury or a scheme shift, or whatever the case may be, so, don’t wanna close the door on anything.”
Patriots Exec. VP of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf on a potential Pats-Stefon Diggs reunion:
“I never like to rule anything out… Don’t want to close the door on anything.” 👀@heykayadams pic.twitter.com/CfNjKKEGhf
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) March 30, 2026
Wolf echoed a similar message on March 12 when asked if the team might revisit talks with Diggs later this offseason.
“I wouldn’t say the door is closed,” Wolf said, according to Christopher Price of The Boston Globe. “I mean, again, we’re going to look through every way we possibly can to help the team.”
While New England balked at Diggs’ hefty cap hit in 2026, the decision to move on from Diggs wasn’t rooted in the former All-Pro’s production during the 2025 campaign.
He emerged as Maye’s go-to target last season — recording a team-high 85 catches on 102 targets for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns. He was the first Patriots player to surpass 1,000 receiving yards in a single season since Julian Edelman in 2019.
But, Diggs’ game dropped off in the postseason, with the 32-year-old wideout averaging just 3.5 catches and 27.5 yards per game over New England’s four postseason matchups, with just one touchdown.
It remains to be seen if Diggs — who turns 33 in November — can continue to produce as a legitimate WR1 moving forward. But, he could still pull on the rope as a dependable chain-mover and veteran voice in New England if brought back in a lesser (and more affordable) role.
While trade rumors continue to swirl over the Patriots and their interest in Eagles wideout A.J. Brown, Diggs could be a potential contingency plan if New England doesn’t want to play the waiting game with Eagles GM Howie Roseman — or ultimately folds at Philly’s asking price.
Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.
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