The New England Patriots plan to release veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs when the new NFL league year begins next week, according to multiple reports.
The move will end Diggs’ brief tenure in New England after one season. Team officials informed the four-time Pro Bowl receiver that he will be released at the start of the 2026 league year on March 11.
Diggs, 32, joined the Patriots last offseason on a three-year contract worth up to $69 million. The deal included more than $20 million in guaranteed money and was designed to provide a reliable top target for young quarterback Drake Maye.
However, the structure of the contract made the second year difficult for the team financially. Diggs’ salary cap hit would have jumped from $10.5 million in 2025 to approximately $26.5 million in 2026, prompting the Patriots to move on before additional guarantees took effect.
Cap Decision Ends Short Patriots Tenure
The decision comes despite a productive season from Diggs. The veteran receiver recorded 85 receptions for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns during the regular season. He also played a significant role during the Patriots’ playoff run.
New England advanced to the Super Bowl before falling to the Seattle Seahawks, ending a surprising season that reenergized the franchise.
Diggs often served as Maye’s primary target and was one of the offense’s most dependable playmakers. His leadership and experience were widely credited with helping stabilize a young offense.
Still, the Patriots faced a difficult choice as the offseason began. If Diggs remained on the roster beyond early March, an additional portion of his salary would have become guaranteed.
Earlier this offseason, Diggs acknowledged that his future with the team might ultimately depend on management decisions.
“Unless they opt out of the contract, I anticipate being here,” Diggs said after the season. “I hope so. Love my guys. Hell of a year playing with them. We built some real family-like bonds, so I hope so. I don’t control it.”
Patriots Turn Toward the Future
The move leaves a significant gap in the Patriots’ receiving corps entering the 2026 offseason.
Diggs was signed partly to accelerate Maye’s development as the franchise quarterback. His route-running precision and experience made him a valuable safety valve for the young signal-caller.
Without Diggs, New England may turn to free agency or the upcoming NFL Draft to bolster the wide receiver position. Analysts have already linked the team to several potential receiving prospects and veteran replacements.
The decision also underscores the financial realities teams face in managing the salary cap. Releasing Diggs now allows the Patriots to avoid a major cap spike and allocate resources elsewhere on the roster.
For Diggs, the move opens another chapter in a decorated career that began in 2015 with the Minnesota Vikings. The receiver later became one of the league’s most productive pass catchers with the Buffalo Bills before brief stops with Houston and New England.
Even after his release becomes official, Diggs is expected to draw interest from teams seeking a proven veteran receiver.
His production in 2025 suggests he still has plenty left to offer.