New England Patriots
Diggs caught 85 passes for New England in 2025.
Stefon Diggs makes a touchdown grab for the Patriots against the Bucs in Nov. 2025. Matthew J Lee/Globe staff
August 5, 2026 | 2:49 PM
1 minute to read
After helping the Patriots reach the Super Bowl a season ago while providing the team’s first 1,000-yard receiver since Julian Edelman, it appears Stefon Diggs will not be returning to New England.
Diggs, 32, is on the verge of the signing a one-year contract with the Washington Commanders, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport. The deal could be “worth up to $12 million,” per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
“With an offseason at full health, Diggs is ready to hit the ground running as a key weapon for Jayden Daniels in Year 3,” Rapoport wrote on social media. “The QB-friendly WR should help.”
Diggs featured for the Patriots in 2026 on what was originally a three-year deal. Coming off a torn ACL in the 2024 season, he was able to make enough of a recovery to start every game and haul in 85 catches for 1,013 yards (with four touchdown receptions).
It was the first time a Patriots receiver crossed the 1,000-yard threshold since Edelman pulled it off in 2019.
Diggs provided a valuable outlet for second-year quarterback Drake Maye, helping the latter to become an MVP candidate as the Patriots flourished.
Yet after the season, the Patriots opted to part ways with Diggs, once again making him a free agent. Despite the lingering possibility that he could still reunite with New England, the chances of a second act with the Patriots went downhill when fellow wide receiver A.J. Brown was acquired from the Eagles on June 1.
Diggs was accused (and charged) with felony strangulation and a misdemeanor assault and battery in late 2025 after an alleged incident with his former private chef. He was found not guilty in May, 2026.
Hayden Bird
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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