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.

“I broke my finger like a couple weeks ago,” Diggs told reporters. “So, I was just telling (Drake Maye), ‘Hey, I love the way you throw the ball.’ I really appreciate it. Just because he has that touch.”

The Patriots will try to improve to 10-2 with a win on Sunday. They are looking great on the field, and the chemistry continues to build, especially between their offensive stars.

Drake Maye says Stefon Diggs is “dramatic”

When asked about Diggs’ injury, Maye didn’t miss his chance to playfully diss his teammate, calling him “dramatic” for the way he reacts whenever he gets hit.

“Stef’s probably dramatic,” Maye said with a smirk. “Every time he gets hit he lays on the ground and acts like he just got hit by an 18-wheeler or something. So he’s — No, he’s awesome. I think just try to throw a catchable ball. That goes with being accurate. He’s (Diggs) awesome. He’s got great hands, one of the best hands I’ve seen. He’s effortless catching it. When it gets cold out, he likes catching more with his body. But when the lights are on he’s got one of the best games in the league.”

New England has become one of the biggest stories of the season, and if they continue to play this way, the rest of the AFC will have issues moving past them.

Stefon Diggs is enjoying life with Drake Maye as his signal-caller. Diggs caught nine passes for 105 yards. After the game, he still praised how composed Maye is. “Being the commander of the offense, getting everybody lined up,” Diggs applauded. “Sometimes I go the wrong way, I don’t do things perfect, but he has the line of communication of being the quarterback, being the leader, he’s one of the pillars of the offense that keeps us in the right spot.”

Maye ended up completing 25-of-34 passes for 281 yards and one touchdown. The Pats also were 6/12 in third down efficiency and 1/1 in fourth downs. Maye solidified once again his stance as possible MVP of the league. He is dominating the NFL in his sophomore year.

Maye is not the only star the Patriots found lately

It took a while, but the Patriots eventually got rookie running back, TreVeyon Henderson ready to roll. After giving him the RB1 slot on the team, the second round pick has exploded.

Henderson has surpassed 75 scrimmage yards in his last four games, including a 147 yards appearane against Tampa Bay last week, and a 93 scrimmage-yards game alongside a three touchdown-performance against the Jets. The Pats not only have their QB, but also their RB, both in rookie contracts.

The Pats defense is underrated

Only once has this defense allowed more than 24 points in the season. At the same time, the Pats have allowed 20 or less points in seven games. Yes, the schedule has been somewhat easy, but when you really look at it, you can see some decent units unable to move the chains.

The Bills were limited to only 20 points, the Steelers to 21 and the Buccaneers to 23. Hence, it’s time to give credit where credit is due. After all, offense wins games, but a complete roster can actually dream with something way bigger.

The Patriots improved to 3-2. While Rhamondre Stevenson took care of the touchdowns, Diggs had a busy night, too, catching passes for 146 yards on 12 targets. The Patriots secured a 23-20 win over the No. 1 team in the AFC East division, and they are looking for more.

The Week 6 matchup will be against the New Orleans Saints, a team that just won its first game hours before the Patriots upset the Bills. While this looks like an easy matchup for the Pats, Diggs is careful about getting too comfortable.

Stefon Diggs sends warning about the Saints

Coming off a big win against a Super Bowl contender, many would think the Patriots would relax against a 1-4 team, but Diggs made it clear New Orleans won’t be an easy matchup despite their record.

“I think it’s super important that we flip the page, considering New Orleans Saints is a really good football team,” Diggs said. “The record might not show, but they’re very skillful up front and in their back end, to be honest. Might be bigger test than last week just as far as like having success, being able to replicate that process or, you know, do it all over again.”

This will be the first of four favorable games for the Patriots, who could enter Week 10 with a 7-2 record if everything goes their way.