New England Patriots
“Right now, I don’t think that’s something that we’re exploring but I would never say no.”
Stefon Diggs AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
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FOXBOROUGH – Patriots coach Mike Vrabel told reporters Wednesday that the Patriots aren’t exploring the possibility of bringing Stefon Diggs back at the moment.
He wouldn’t rule the possibility out altogether, but he said the Patriots are happy with where they are at with the receiver room as it stands right now.
“We’re probably at the number that we need right now,” Vrabel said. “I wouldn’t say that anything is off the table.”
“We want to add anybody that could help us. I’m not going to give a percentage on it, but I think that we’re happy with where we’re at right now as far as the numbers and the people in the receiver room.”
The Patriots have 12 wide receivers on the roster, and that number will have to be trimmed significantly by the end of the preseason.
Newcomers A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs are expected to have big roles. Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism III returned after contributing to last year’s Super Bowl run. The Patriots also have several un-drafted rookies on the roster who will compete for spots this summer.
“Competition is always great. I think it brings the best out of true competitors,” Patriots wide receivers coach Todd Downing said. “I’m really fortunate because I have a room full of good football players and really good men. They’re supporting each other, but also finding a way to keep that competition. That drives them.”
Meanwhile, Diggs remains a free-agent three months after the Patriots released him in March. Diggs led the team in catches, targets, receiving yards, and BIG plays (gains of 20 yards) or more last season.
He helped the Patriots make their first Super Bowl appearance since 2018. New England lost to the Seattle Seahawks.
“I appreciate Stefon as a person and as a player and what he did for us last year,” Vrabel said. “I’ll value that. He helped us win football games. He helped us get to where we got. Right now, I don’t think that’s something that we’re exploring but I would never say no.”
Diggs had a $10.5 million salary cap hit during his lone season with the Patriots. He had signed a three-year deal worth up to $69 million, but his cap hit was set to rise to $26.5 million in year two.
The Patriots cut Diggs in March. Diggs recently told TMZ that he’s keeping an open mind as he searches for his next landing spot.
“I don’t know, man,” Diggs said. “I’m open to everything. We’ll see.”
Khari A. Thompson
Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.
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