One year ago, Stefon Diggs was the answer.
Now, he might be the question.
After delivering the Patriots’ first 1,000-yard receiving season since Julian Edelman in 2019 and helping push New England to within one win of a seventh Lombardi Trophy, Diggs’ future in Foxborough is suddenly under the microscope.
And according to NBC Sports Boston insider Tom E. Curran, the Patriots are preparing to make a cold, calculated decision.
“They’re going to explore options to figure out if they can upgrade that position.”
That’s not exactly a vote of confidence.
The $26.5 Million Dilemma
Diggs carries a $26.5 million cap hit in each of the next two seasons. He turns 33 late in 2026. And while he was productive — 1,000 yards, strong leadership, durability — he didn’t look quite the same down the stretch.
Then there’s the legal cloud hanging over him. Depending on how his criminal case unfolds, the decision about his roster status might not even be up to the Patriots.
If he’s cleared, the Patriots still face a brutal roster question:
Is paying premium money for an aging receiver the right move when Mike Vrabel’s offseason mantra is “better, cheaper, younger”?
Leader… or Luxury?
Diggs surprised many inside the organization by becoming the emotional leader of the offense. Teammates gravitated toward him. Coaches praised him. The locker room respected him.
Curran called his leadership “beyond excellent.”
But leadership doesn’t count against the salary cap.
And this front office appears committed to a methodical, disciplined approach — no emotional contracts, no panic spending.
As Curran put it:
“They have to decide who is spackle on the wall and who is part of the wallboard. I’d probably guess Diggs is spackle. Good spackle — but you don’t want that long-term.”
That analogy hits hard.
If Not Diggs… Then Who?
Upgrading from Diggs isn’t simple.
True upgrades would mean chasing names like:
- A.J. Brown
- Mike Evans
- Possibly George Pickens (via major trade)
None would come cheap.
Mid-tier free agents like Alec Pierce or Romeo Doubs may not clearly surpass Diggs’ production. And relying on a rookie receiver to instantly outplay a proven 1,000-yard veteran? That’s risky.
WEEI’s Rich Keefe summed up the dilemma:
“I don’t know how readily available anybody that’s definitely better than him will be out there.”
Exactly.
The Jakobi Meyers Ghost
Curran pointed to a recent example the Patriots might be quietly regretting: Jakobi Meyers.
Jacksonville traded for Meyers midseason, signed him to a three-year, $60 million deal, and their offense immediately stabilized. The Jaguars finished 13-4 and earned a home playoff game.
Curran even admitted he would have traded Diggs for Meyers during the season.
That’s telling.
It highlights the Patriots’ bigger philosophy shift — long-term stability over short-term splash.
What Happens Next?
The Patriots have options:
- Restructure Diggs’ deal to lower the cap hit
- Release him before guarantees kick in
- Attempt a trade
- Or simply run it back if no clear upgrade emerges
If Diggs is willing to adjust his contract, that could change everything.
If he’s not?
The Patriots may move on.
The Bigger Stakes
This isn’t just about a receiver.
It’s about building the right environment for Drake Maye. It’s about managing future cap flexibility. It’s about avoiding aging-curve regret contracts.
Diggs said after the Super Bowl:
“I anticipate being here… I hope so.”
But hope doesn’t balance the books.
The Patriots are operating with discipline — not sentiment.
And in the next few weeks, we’ll find out whether Stefon Diggs was a short-term spark…
Or a long-term fixture.
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