When Stefon Diggs made his free agency decision last offseason, he had options-and one of them was Denver. But as he confirmed during Super Bowl media week, the veteran wideout ultimately chose New England over the Broncos, a move that’s now looking even more significant with the Patriots heading to the Super Bowl.
“It was close,” Diggs said in an interview with KOA Radio, reflecting on the decision. And it wasn’t just lip service.
Diggs made it clear he has a deep respect for Broncos head coach Sean Payton and a strong personal connection to Denver offensive coordinator Davis Webb, who was once his teammate in Buffalo. That relationship clearly made the Broncos an appealing destination.
“[Webb] helped me a lot in Buffalo, as far as learning the plays,” Diggs said. “He taught me a lot of the offense.
He’s a good friend of mine. I think he’s gonna be a hell of a coach one day.”
Still, when the dust settled, Diggs signed a three-year, $69 million deal with the Patriots-a commitment that signaled both his belief in the franchise’s direction and his desire to be part of something bigger. And now, just months later, he’s playing for a shot at a ring.
Meanwhile, Denver was left empty-handed in its pursuit of a marquee receiver. The Broncos didn’t just miss out on Diggs-they also reportedly had their sights on linebacker Robert Spillane, who, like Diggs, chose New England instead. It was a double blow for a team looking to reload with veteran talent.
Fast forward to now, and the Patriots are preparing to face the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl, fresh off a win over the Broncos in the AFC Championship Game. Diggs’ decision to head to Foxborough instead of the Mile High City isn’t just a footnote-it’s a pivotal piece of the Patriots’ postseason puzzle.
For Denver, the “what if” looms large. For New England, the “what’s next” is a shot at another Lombardi Trophy.