Stefon Diggs is wasting no time making the Patriots wonder what they just gave up.
New England entered the 2026 offseason with real momentum, even after the Super Bowl loss to the Seahawks. Mike Vrabel’s first year had gone better than expected, and for the first time in a while, the Patriots had reason to feel good about both the roster and the coaching staff. The defense backed that up, climbing from one of the league’s worst units a year earlier to a top-10 group, and its showing against Seattle’s offense made the improvement impossible to ignore.
The offense was less polished, but with Drake Maye at quarterback and Diggs leading the receiving group, it looked like the most encouraging Patriots attack since Tom Brady was under center.
That’s why releasing Diggs after just one season hit so hard with fans. There had still been some hope he might come back, especially with rumors tying him to New England for months, but he signed a one-year deal with the Commanders last week instead.
And now he’s already making that move look smart.
At Washington’s training camp, Diggs has been grabbing headlines by winning every 1-on-1 rep, a fast start that only adds to the frustration for Patriots fans who thought letting him walk was a mistake from the jump.
Dean Jones of Riggo's Rag has been among those pointing to Diggs’ early work as proof the Commanders made the right call. There were plenty of questions around the signing at first, especially after a postseason that was mostly forgettable and the nonstop rumors about his personal life. But in football, the bottom line is what a player does between the lines, and Diggs is showing he can still be a solid weapon for Jayden Daniels this fall.
Washington’s receivers have stood out for all the right reasons in camp, and Diggs gives Daniels another explosive target alongside Terry McLaurin. That combination could matter a lot for the Commanders’ offense, and it’s exactly the kind of impact New England could have had.
There’s still excitement in New England about what A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs can bring as a new tandem, but plenty of people believed Brown and Diggs would have been the more dangerous pairing. If Diggs had settled into a WR2 role, the Patriots’ passing game had a real chance to take a major step forward.
Based on how he finished last season, that seemed like the cleanest fit. Together, Brown and Diggs could have given New England its best 1-2 punch in a long time.
Instead, that upside belongs to the Commanders now. And the more Diggs keeps shining in camp - and carries that into the regular season - the harder it gets for the Patriots to avoid second-guessing the decision that sent him elsewhere.
In Other News...
Patriots Preseason Tie Exposed The Same Concerns Fans Feared
The Patriots preseason tie with the Colts did not change the bigger conversation around this roster, but it did sharpen a few of the same questions that have hovered over camp. There were encouraging signs in the way the defense held up overall, and the quarterback room got a boost from Tommy DeVito showing enough to keep the backup conversation interesting. Even so, the game also served as a reminder that this team is still sorting through important depth spots before the regular season arrives.
There were familiar trouble points as well, especially along the offensive line, where injuries remain a concern and can quickly reshape the plan in front of the quarterback. The kicking unit also left room for doubt, and the defense still has work to do when it comes to covering tight ends. Add in an unsettled battle for backup running back snaps, and the tie felt less like a clean checkpoint than another snapshot of a roster still trying to answer a few stubborn preseason questions. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Preseason Opener Ended With A Sideline Scene Nobody Expected
The Patriots preseason opener wrapped up with an unexpected sideline moment involving Colts special teams coordinator Brian Mason, who was hurt on the final play after a collision near the boundary. Medical personnel treated Mason on the field before he was taken to the locker room for evaluation, turning an otherwise routine exhibition finish into a more serious scene than anyone expected.
For New England, the football part of the night will matter less than the injury aftermath, especially with the Colts still sorting out what happened and how significant it may be. The team has not provided specific details on the severity of the injury, and more testing is planned, leaving the final answer to a situation that quickly shifted from preseason noise to something far more concerning. [Read more 🡒]
Patriots Backup Battle Already Has A Few Names Rising Fast
The Patriots preseason opener ended in a 13-13 tie with no starters on the field, but it still offered an early look at how the roster battles are taking shape behind them. With Terrell Jennings now on injured reserve, the competition for backup jobs at running back became a little more urgent, and a few newcomers and depth pieces made enough of an impression to keep the staffs attention moving forward.
Jam Miller was among the players who stood out in the game, while Kyle Williams, Brayden Swinson and K.J. Britt also turned in encouraging moments. It was a quieter night for others such as Lan Larison and Gabe Jacas, and these first preseason evaluations are only a snapshot, but the early returns suggest the Patriots have at least a few names rising fast as the backup picture starts to come into focus. [Read more 🡒]