Patriots Could Cut Stefon Diggs If Contract Restructure Fails

Stefon Diggs' future in New England remains a concern and the Patriots might have to release the veteran wide receiver if they see themselves unable to pay him his wages.

Patriots Could Cut Stefon Diggs If Contract Restructure Fails

Stefon Diggs (Image via IMAGO)

In Short
  • Stefon Diggs has a $26.5 million cap hit, raising concerns about his future with the Patriots.
  • Head coach Mike Vrabel supports retaining Diggs, but the team may seek a younger receiver while quarterback Drake Maye is on a rookie contract.
  • Diggs faces felony charges and is scheduled to appear in court on April 9, complicating his situation with the team.

Shortly after losing to the Seattle Seahawks at Super Bowl LX, Stefon Diggs declared that he wanted to continue playing for the New England Patriots in 2026. That said, Diggs’ future in New England remains up for debate. Support from head coach Mike Vrabel and quarterback Drake Maye may work in his favor, but at the same time, his wages could be too much for the Patriots to bear.

According to a recent report by Chad Graff of The Athletic, Diggs has a $26.5 million cap hit, which could be rough for the front office to swallow.

The [New England] Patriots want to get better at wide receiver while Drake Maye is still on his affordable rookie contract, and cutting their most productive player at the position doesn’t seem like a natural way to do that. That said, $26.5 million is a hefty cap hit for a receiver [Stefon Diggs] who will turn 33 next season.

Chad Graff wrote

Diggs played a key role in helping the Patriots reach the Super Bowl after a long hiatus. The Pro Bowl wide receiver played every game and racked up 85 receptions on 102 targets for 1013 yards and scored 4 touchdowns. However, he failed to make an impact against the Seahawks. He only caught 3 passes for 37 yards.

Mike Vrabel shares his honest opinion about Stefon Diggs’ future during the NFL Combine

Vrabel advocated for the Patriots to sign Diggs when the Texans released him following a short, one-year spell. Despite coming off an ACL reconstruction, the Patriots gave Diggs a three-year, $63.5 million contract and made him Maye’s primary target.

Patriots Could Cut Stefon Diggs If Contract Restructure Fails
Stefon Diggs (Image via IMAGO)

At the NFL Combine on Wednesday, Vrabel revealed that he would love to have Diggs around in the locker room. But his concern extends beyond Diggs’ contributions on the gridiron.

We’re going to let the legal process run its course, just like we’ve said before. Those players, whether that’s Stefon [Diggs] or anybody else [Barmore] that has something, have done exactly what they’re supposed to do, been where they’re supposed to be, and communicated with the court when they’re supposed to communicate with them.

Mike Vrabel told Khari A. Thompson of Boston.com

On December 2, it was learned that Diggs was facing charges of felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery, brought by his chef. Diggs is due to appear in court on April 9.

Even at the age of 33, Diggs proved that he still has gas in his tank. He is not getting younger, and it only makes sense to add a young receiver while Maye is still on his rookie contract. Then again, if the Patriots are willing to take on a $26.5 million risk, then so be it.

Unless they [the Patriots] opt out of the contract. I anticipate being here, so I hope so. Love my guys. I had a hell of a year playing with them. Built some real family-like bonds, so I hope so, I don’t control it though.

Diggs said earlier this month

If the Patriots move on from the former Vikings/Bills/Texans WR, then signing AJ Brown as his replacement will only boost the offense. Brown is open to leaving Philly for the right price, and he has a previous relationship with Vrabel. Both used to be part of the Titans when Brown first arrived in the NFL. Moreover, the Super Bowl winner supported the Patriots while growing up in Mississippi. So, it is a win-win situation for Brown and the Patriots.

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