In his debut season with the New England Patriots, Stefon Diggs made an immediate impact, both on the field and in the locker room. Coming back strong from an ACL tear, Diggs led the team with 85 receptions and 1,013 yards. He became the first Patriots wide receiver to surpass the 1,000-yard mark since 2019, while also stepping up as a key leader.
Now, as the offseason unfolds, the Patriots face a significant decision regarding Diggs' future. His cap hit is set to rise to $26.5 million, but only $1.7 million is currently guaranteed.
An additional $6 million in guarantees kicks in on March 13. Releasing the 32-year-old would free up over $16 million in cap space, a fact Diggs himself acknowledged, noting that his future isn't solely in his control.
At the NFL Combine, Eliot Wolf, the Patriots' executive vice president of player personnel, remained tight-lipped about Diggs' status. "I’m not going to get into any specific players today," Wolf stated.
"Stef had a tremendous season. His leadership was outstanding.
These are ongoing conversations as we weigh all factors moving forward."
Complicating matters is Diggs' legal situation. He has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of strangulation and a misdemeanor assault and battery charge, with a pretrial hearing set for April 1.
"We’re monitoring those situations closely," Wolf said. "Our legal and security teams, along with Stefon's representatives, are involved."
With New England's offense struggling in the playoffs, the team is eyeing upgrades at wide receiver. If Diggs and the Patriots part ways, the need for new talent becomes even more pressing.
"Having more playmakers is crucial," Wolf noted. "We’re looking to enhance our depth and top-tier talent at wide receiver.
However, our offense is designed to find the open man, avoiding the trap of forcing throws to a single star."
As the Patriots navigate these decisions, the balance between financial considerations, team dynamics, and legal issues will be key in shaping their strategy for the upcoming season.