It’s been four months since the Patriots moved on from Stefon Diggs, and despite a resolved assault case and a wave of fan chatter about a reunion, the veteran receiver is still on the market with training camp getting close for most teams.
That alone tells you something. If a return to New England were truly gaining steam, it likely would have happened by now. Instead, the Patriots sound comfortable with where they are at receiver, and Mike Vrabel’s comments at mandatory minicamp backed that up.
“I think we’re probably at the number that we would need right now,” Vrabel said on June 10. “I wouldn’t say anything is off the table.
We’d want to add anybody that can help us. I’m not going to give a percentage on it, but I think we’re happy with where we’re at right now, with the numbers and the people in the receiver room.”
That’s not exactly a door slammed shut, but it sure doesn’t sound like a team waiting around for Diggs.
The Patriots already made their move at the position this offseason after the championship loss to the Seattle Seahawks, when the receivers had only 60 yards by the start of the third quarter. New England signed Romeo Doubs to a multi-year deal after releasing Diggs, and it also sent a 2028 first-round pick to acquire A.J.
Brown. That’s a clear sign the organization wanted to rebuild the passing game in a different way than it did in 2025.
And the room is crowded enough that Diggs wouldn’t be walking back into the same setup he left. Brown and Doubs sit at the top of the depth chart, while Mack Hollins, Drake Maye’s favorite deep threat Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas and 2025 third-round pick Kyle Williams all give the Patriots a deep group of pass-catchers. Those four were part of the push that helped Maye guide the team to the Super Bowl after a 4-13 season.
Douglas, in particular, looks like he’s in line for a bigger role. Wide receivers coach Todd Downing pointed to the way he’s grown this spring.
“I think second year in the system, you even see more confidence,” Downing said during minicamp of Douglas’ growth. “Just a little pep in his step being around us and being comfortable with us, being who he is and letting his personality be out there and energetic. And that’s something that is awesome to have as a coach.
“But secondly, I would say he’s really doing a good job with decision-making routes. So, if there’s a decision to be made, whether it’s a choice route or a post or a cross, he’s making decisions quickly and correctly. And that’s a really valuable piece of this offense.”
That matters because Diggs, as the team’s top receiver last season, drew 102 targets. A return now would almost certainly mean a smaller slice of the offense, especially with New England leaning toward younger options.
Money is part of the equation too. Diggs is coming off a bounce-back season after an ACL tear, and that kind of production can still cash in.
He made about $19.8 million last season on his heavily incentivized three-year, $63.5 million deal. The Patriots have already poured significant resources into the receiver room, with Spotrac putting the current total at just under $35.6 million, a little over 10% of the team’s cap spending.
They also gave up a future first-round pick.
So while a Diggs reunion has become a popular idea among fans, the Patriots have other priorities pressing on them. There’s uncertainty on the defensive edge, where veteran Harold Landry and second-round rookie Gabe Jacas still haven’t practiced this offseason. Landry is recovering from knee surgery, while Jacas has not signed his rookie deal and hasn’t been on the sideline at practice since May 9 during rookie minicamp.
That leaves Elijah Ponder, an undrafted free agent in 2025, as the current leader of an unproven group behind Dre’Mont Jones.
Tight end is another spot that needs help. Free-agent addition Julian Hill suffered a season-ending injury in a spring practice and was placed on season-ending injured reserve. Vrabel even hinted in June that more depth at tight end could be coming.
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