Behind them on the depth chart are Jaylin Lane, Treylon Burks, and Antonio Williams. As the third group of options, the Commanders have Van Jefferson, Dyami Brown, and finally Jacoby Jones.

Dan Quinn has done an excellent job surrounding Daniels with talent in his third year as an NFL player. The Commanders want to establish themselves as legitimate contenders in the NFC East, who will have these wide receivers at their disposal.

Diggs’ great 2025 season in Foxborough

During his single season with the New England Patriots in 2025, the veteran wide receiver delivered solid production, recording 85 receptions for 1,013 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns across 17 regular-season games.

Now joining the Washington Commanders on a one-year deal for the 2026 season, Diggs looks to carry that momentum to his new team, aiming to replicate his 1,000-yard form and serve as a reliable veteran pass-catching threat alongside Terry McLaurin in Washington’s offense.

Daniels relies on his receivers

Jayden Daniels relies heavily on his passing attack to push the offense downfield, showcasing composure in the pocket and a strong ability to process defenses. In a 2025 season where his action was limited to 7 games, Daniels completed 114 of 188 passes (60.6% completion rate) for 1,262 passing yards, 8 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions, posting an 88.1 passer rating as the primary facilitator of Washington’s air game.

Adding Diggs could be just what the doctor ordered for the Chiefs. Not only is Kansas City coming off a concerning 2025 NFL season in which the receiving corps relied heavily on Rashee Rice, but the team is also dealing with an injury bug that could complicate matters even further heading into the season. A proven veteran like Diggs could solve a lot of problems and spare Andy Reid and company plenty of future headaches.

Diggs proved he still has plenty left in the tank after a great year in New England. The fact that he remains a free agent with just over a month until the season begins is raising eyebrows and leaving fans wondering why the Chiefs aren’t all over him. If they are, they’ve done a great job covering their tracks.

Watching Worthy and Allen go down with injuries should have been the final straw—at least from the fans’ perspective—but Diggs has yet to make his way to Missouri to sign an NFL contract. With each passing hour, the anticipation builds, but another team could swoop in and sign the veteran wide receiver before the Chiefs do.

Fans call for Diggs

“I can’t imagine why we are not signing Diggs to a one-year deal,” a Chiefs fan commented on social media after seeing how the first-team wide receiver group looked. “How desperate do we need to get to sign Diggs?!“ another fan wrote. “[Laughing out loud] sign Diggs,” a fan replicated a common sentiment among Chiefs Kingdom.

If Worthy and Allen’s injuries aren’t enough for Kansas City to move forward with a plan to sign Diggs, then nothing may be able to trigger it. Perhaps only a disaster would.

Adding to the concerns, Rice doesn’t look fully recovered from the knee surgery he underwent earlier this year, and Kansas City is without a clear-cut No. 1 target if he isn’t at full strength. Diggs will turn 33 during the season, but he’s still capable of carrying the passing game when his team needs him most.

Concerns around Diggs

When it comes to Diggs, teams aren’t wary of him because of his age or injury history. In fact, it has nothing to do with his on-field performance. Instead, front offices are exercising caution because of the recent legal troubles surrounding the wide receiver, as well as the potential negative impact he could have in the locker room.

After helping the Patriots reach the Super Bowl, if Diggs is still a free agent, it’s clearly not because GMs question whether he’s a good fit on the field. Rather, they fear he could become a liability in the locker room.

Diggs could quickly build chemistry with Mahomes and become one of the star quarterback’s most reliable targets. Still, Brett Veach and the front office in Kansas City appear to be looking in a different direction—one that doesn’t bring even more attention to the organization. The Chiefs have dealt with enough off-field issues following Rice’s recent controversies. If they sign Diggs, they might simply be jumping from the frying pan into the fire.

Diggs would be a risky signing

From a football standpoint, Diggs could be a lifesaver. Off the field, however, he might become an anchor. If there is one quarterback who can make things happen even without elite wide receivers to throw to, it’s Mahomes, and it appears the Chiefs are willing to ask their franchise quarterback to make do with what he has.

Even if it’s not Diggs, however, Kansas City should add an experienced player to the wide receiver room. Fans are calling for Diggs, but they would probably welcome almost any addition to a receiving corps that currently has far more questions than answers.

Chiefs must make a move

Jalen Royals, Tyquan Thornton, and Andrew Armstrong were the Chiefs’ first-team wide receivers, according to Matt Derrick, as Rice, Worthy, and Allen were unable to participate. If the day ever comes when Mahomes has to rely on them, there will be little hope for Kansas City.

And the mere sight of them running with the first team in practice—even if it’s only training camp—should set off alarm bells in Veach’s office. If it doesn’t, then the Chiefs and their fans face a much bigger problem than their depth at wide receiver.

According to Bleacher Report’s Khristopher Knox, the Steelers should prioritize adding a proven veteran like Diggs to ensure their postseason ambitions are met. “If Pittsburgh hopes to make Rodgers’ last ride a memorable one, it should add a little more to its receiving corps. DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. should make a solid receiver duo,” Knox wrote in his recent analysis.

Knox further emphasized that while the top of the depth chart looks strong, the secondary options raise significant questions for an NFL contender. “However, rookies Germie Bernard and Kaden Wetjen are unproven, and Pittsburgh’s overall receiver depth is lacking. Adding a vet like [DeAndre] Hopkins or Stefon Diggs would help give the Steelers a playoff-caliber offense,” the report concluded.

Are Diggs and Hopkins the right options for Rodgers?

DeAndre Hopkins brings a massive amount of experience to the table, entering 2026 with 13 seasons under his belt and coming off a 2025 campaign where he recorded 22 receptions for 330 yards and two touchdowns in a limited role. Despite his age, his elite catch radius and ability to win 50-50 balls would provide Rodgers with a reliable safety net that rookie targets simply cannot replicate.

Diggs remains a high-level producer, having just surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for the seventh time in eight years during a productive 2025 season with the Patriots. Finishing last year with 85 receptions for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns, Diggs proved he still possesses the elite route-running and separation skills.

Choosing a veteran like Diggs or Hopkins would likely accelerate the Steelers’ offensive chemistry, as both players have spent over a decade deciphering NFL defenses. Their veteran savvy would allow them to read Rodgers’ subtle pre-snap adjustments immediately, creating a lethal partnership that could turn Pittsburgh into a legitimate Super Bowl threat.

This move has sparked speculation that the Patriots could target younger options like Alec Pierce as part of a broader strategy to balance talent and long-term flexibility.

According to a report from Jordan Schultz, Mike Vrabel and the Patriots are actively evaluating key names on the wide receiver market. “Per sources, the Patriots have been in on the big names on the WR free-agent market next week and are believed to be prepared to spend big. Alec Pierce is among the names they’ve been eyeing. The trade market is also an option.”

Did the Patriots release Stefon Diggs?

Yes. The Patriots released Stefon Diggs, parting ways with the veteran wide receiver in a move that opens up both salary cap space and opportunities to retool their receiving corps ahead of the upcoming free‑agent period.

For the Patriots, the release of Diggs represents both a challenge and an opportunity. While losing a top-tier receiver is significant, targeting someone like Alec Pierce could provide a cost-effective, high-upside solution. Also, controversies off the field could have been a factor.

Now, combined with flexibility in the trade market and the salary cap, New England’s front office appears ready to take aggressive steps to make another Super Bowl run.

Shortly after news of the transaction broke, Diggs took to social media to reflect on his lone season in New England. “Thank you for a hell of a year. We family forever,” Diggs shared via his Instagram account, marking a graceful exit despite a tumultuous few weeks of speculation regarding his fit within Mike Vrabel’s long-term plans.

The release of Diggs appears to be the first domino to fall in a broader Patriots roster reset. New England’s front office is aggressively clearing cap space to retool a squad that struggled to find its offensive rhythm on the game’s biggest stage.

The move leaves a significant void on the Patriots WR depth chart. With Diggs gone, the focus shifts to internal solutions like Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins, though the team is widely expected to be active in free agency and the draft to find a true WR1 for Drake Maye’s third season.

Finding a potential home for the veteran wideout

While it’s early in the free agency cycle, the 32-year-old Diggs enters a market already buzzing with high-stakes movement. Different contenders who have cleared roster spots or draft capital in recent days could view the four-time Pro Bowler as the missing piece for a 2026 title run.

The Kansas City Chiefs are seen as a logical suitor for Diggs, as well as the New York Giants which are still desperate for a veteran boundary threat, and remain a team to watch as the Giants look to upgrade their pass-catching corps.

As the legal tampering period approaches, Diggs has the luxury of being a “vested veteran” who can sign immediately. Entering his 12th NFL season, the veteran wideout now has the opportunity to choose his next destination as he seeks the elusive Super Bowl ring that slipped through his fingers in Foxborough.

Stefon Diggs will now have to find another team to play for in 2026. On Wednesday, Tom Pelissero reported that New England will release the wide receiver, who failed to win his first Super Bowl after losing to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX.

Without Diggs, the team’s depth chart has been updated. Kayshon Boutte is now projected as the WR1, followed by Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, DeMario Douglas, Jeremiah Webb, and John Jiles. However, the Patriots are expected to add another top wide receiver to fill the void left by Diggs.

What’s next for Stefon Diggs?

Stefon Diggs will be playing for a new team in the 2026 NFL season. The Patriots are set to release him at the start of the league’s new year, officially making him a free agent eligible to sign anywhere for the upcoming campaign.

The talented wide receiver put together a solid 2025 season, emerging as a key target for Drake Maye. For that reason, Diggs’ release could create an opportunity for teams like the New York Giants or the Kansas City Chiefs to pursue a proven playmaker ahead of next season.

The former Buffalo Bills standout is expected to draw significant interest in free agency. However, it appears he may have preferred to remain in New England, as he broke his silence following the Patriots’ decision to release him with a sentimental message.

The Giants could use a boost to their WR room in 2026 as Jaxson Dart enters his second year in the league, whereas the Chiefs definitely need to retool their offense around Patrick Mahomes after a disappointing season.

Diggs, who turns 33 in November, is a proven weapon in the league who still has enough left in the tank to contribute on a team with aspirations. However, the Giants and Chiefs might not be alone in his sweepstakes.

Potential suitors for Diggs apart from NY Giants and Chiefs

The Denver Broncos could benefit from a pass catcher with Diggs‘ experience to build on a promising 2025 campaign. Another potential suitor could be the Miami Dolphins, who recently released Tyreek Hill and could welcome new veteran presence in their WR group.

However, a return to the Buffalo Bills could also make sense. Diggs is already familiar with playing alongside Josh Allen, and it’s an area where the team struggled to find a dependable target last year.

Other teams to watch might be the Pittsburgh Steelers, who lacked an established WR2 behind DK Metcalf, or the San Francisco 49ers, who are expected to add at wide receiver this offseason.

Diggs’ 2025 season in New England

Diggs is coming off a productive season where he caught 85 passes for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns with the Patriots, who made an unexpected run to Super Bowl LX. Only a month after the loss to the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium, the wideout will be looking for a new home as the Patriots WR depth chart will look different in 2026.

“We just have 10 weeks until we’re back here,” Maye said to his teammates during the Patriots’ end of season media availabilties, via ESPN’s Mike Reiss. “That doesn’t sound too far away. It turns around quickly on you. I’m looking forward to it.”

Thus, Maye’s message serves as a clear reminder to his teammates. As much as the 29–13 defeat in Santa Clara stings—and will continue to do so—the 2026 NFL season will arrive sooner than they realize. After finishing 4–13 in 2024 and then reaching the Super Bowl this season, the Patriots may not fully grasp just how much shorter their offseason will be after making it all the way to Super Bowl LX.

Offseason schedule

Although the NFL offseason is known for being extremely long—with fans counting down the days until the start of OTAs and training camp—Maye’s statement is actually accurate.

Unless the Patriots move on from Mike Vrabel—which has virtually no chance of happening—their team workouts cannot begin until the third Monday of April. As a result, Maye and his teammates won’t be back on the field in New England until, at the very least, April 20, 2026.

Diggs’ future, Maye is going up against ghosts

Whether Diggs will be with the team by then, and for the 2026 NFL season as a whole, is a question of its own. As it stands, Diggs made his intentions clear with a four-word message about his future with the Patriots after Super Bowl LX. As long as he remains part of the organization, Diggs will be happy to stay in Foxborough.

As for Maye and the rest of the roster, they already have enough on their plate without having to worry about Diggs’ situation. For Maye, he may now be staring down an NFL curse for the rest of his career.

By losing a Super Bowl in his second season, he has joined a list that includes household names like Dan Marino, Joe Burrow, and Brock Purdy—all of whom lost the biggest game of their careers as sophomores. However, none of them ever made it back to the Super Bowl. While Burrow and Purdy still have time to break the curse, Maye must now strive to do so as soon as possible, before it becomes a lasting narrative around him.

Even with the natural disappointment of not being able to win the Vince Lombardi Trophy, the talented wide receiver and one of Maye’s main offensive weapons responded with a four-word message when asked if he would like to return to Foxborough next season: “(Expletive), I hope so,” he said.

The ex-Bills wide receiver agreed to a three-year deal with the Patriots and has already finished its first season. The contract, signed in March 2025, is worth a total of $63.5 million.

It includes $22.6 million guaranteed, along with substantial performance incentives tied to receptions and yardage. For 2026, his cap hit is $28 million, which includes a base salary of $20.6 million.

Diggs’ breakout season in New England

In his debut season with the New England Patriots, Stefon Diggs proved to be the elite playmaker the team needed, surpassing the 1,000-yard mark for the seventh time in his career. Appearing in all 17 games after returning from a 2024 knee injury, Diggs led the team with 85 receptions for 1,013 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns.

His impact was particularly felt in high-stakes moments, such as his 138-yard performance against the Ravens in Week 16 and a crucial touchdown in the divisional playoff win over his former team, the Texans. By providing Drake Maye with a reliable, Pro Bowl-caliber target, Diggs was fundamental in guiding the Patriots back to the Super Bowl stage in 2026.

Stefon Diggs was a loyal sidekick to Allen in the Bills’ offense from 2020 until his move to the Texans. The veteran played his last season with the Patriots and, while he knows his former teammates fell short of their goals, he believes the process must be maintained, since their QB is a true Hall of Famer.

“Keep hanging your head on that quarterback,” the explosive wide receiver Diggs said to Buffalo Bills fans during the NFL Opening Night. “That quarterback is a Hall of Famer.”

He also recalled his affection for Bills Mafia: “I love y’all, I know I’m far gone, but I do miss you, I have a great relationship with y’all. Parts of me wish things were different because I do got a lot of love and respect for that team… I know they’re not huge fans of me at this point, but… I got a lot of love and respect for that organization and that fan base.”

Bills missed Diggs this season

Stefon Diggs has proven his veteran elite status once again this season with the New England Patriots, commanding the air attack with 85 receptions, 1,013 yards, and 4 touchdowns, averaging a solid 11.9 yards per catch.

While these numbers reflect his consistency as a reliable WR1, they also ignite a ‘what if’ scenario for the Buffalo Bills. Had Josh Allen still possessed Diggs’ surgical route-running and ability to move the chains, the Bills’ offense could have reached a higher level of late-game execution.

Diggs’ presence would have provided Allen with that familiar safety valve, potentially elevating Buffalo’s scoring efficiency and late-season momentum by forcing defenses to respect the deep threat and intermediate windows that only their unique chemistry could exploit.

The two players selected to represent their conference are quarterback Drake Maye and his teammate Christian Gonzalez. Diggs, meanwhile, stated that in his view, Marcus Jones also deserved to be chosen, though he made it clear that the focus remains solely on the playoffs.

“I don’t think nobody really care about it,” Diggs told reporters, per Carlos A. Lopez. “Personally, I think Marcus Jones should’ve been in the Pro Bowl… [But], we’re kinda focusing on something bigger.”

The Patriots cornerback is having a standout season, serving as one of the key pillars in Mike Vrabel’s defense. Still, as Diggs noted, the attention is clearly on the postseason.

Jones’ stellar campaign

Marcus Jones has been a defensive revelation for the New England Patriots this season, evolving into one of the league’s most reliable slot cornerbacks. His impressive stat line of 43 solo tackles, 3 interceptions, and 11 passes defended—all while maintaining 0 forced fumbles—underscores his disciplined yet opportunistic style of play.

Beyond his lockdown coverage, his dual-threat capability as an All-Pro caliber returner has provided the Patriots with elite field position, making him an indispensable cornerstone of their 2025 playoff push.

Eyes on the playoffs

The New England Patriots (12-3) are locked in a fierce battle with the Denver Broncos for the AFC’s No. 1 seed and the crucial first-round bye. To secure the top spot, New England must stay perfect in its final two division matchups, starting with a road game against the New York Jets, December 28th, followed by the regular-season finale at home against the Miami Dolphins on January 4th.