He delivered 1,000 yards. He became a locker-room leader. He helped push the Patriots to the Super Bowl.
And now?
Stefon Diggs’ future in New England suddenly feels anything but secure.
According to longtime Patriots insider Tom E. Curran, the team could “explore options” this offseason to potentially upgrade at wide receiver — even if that means moving on from Diggs just one year after he revived the position in Foxborough.
Welcome to the business side of contention.
The $26.5 Million Question
On paper, Diggs did everything the Patriots asked for in 2025.
He became the first New England player since Julian Edelman in 2019 to top 1,000 receiving yards in a season. He brought veteran fire to Mike Vrabel’s new-look locker room. He gave the offense credibility.
But here’s the catch:
Diggs carries a $26.5 million cap hit in 2026 — with just $1.7 million guaranteed.
And another $6 million becomes guaranteed if he’s on the roster by March 13.
That date isn’t far away.
Which means a decision is coming fast.
“Better, Cheaper, Younger”
Curran didn’t sugarcoat it.
“I think they’re going to explore options to figure out if they can upgrade that position,” he said on WEEI’s Jones & Keefe.
Mike Vrabel has reportedly emphasized a three-word philosophy this offseason:
Better. Cheaper. Younger.
Diggs turns 33 in November. He carries a heavy cap number. And while his leadership exceeded expectations, the Patriots have to ask a brutal question:
Is he part of the long-term wall… or just spackle?
Curran used that exact analogy.
“Good spackle,” he clarified.
“But you don’t want spackle long-term.”
That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement of job security.
Upgrade — or Stand Pat?
The Patriots aren’t looking to dump Diggs just for the sake of change.
They’re looking to upgrade.
And that’s the tricky part.
New England could:
- Cut Diggs and pursue younger free agents like Alec Pierce or Romeo Doubs
- Swing for the fences in a trade for a star like A.J. Brown
- Restructure Diggs’ deal to lower the cap hit
- Or simply run it back if no better option emerges
That last scenario may be the most realistic.
Because replacing 1,000 yards and veteran presence isn’t easy.
Especially on a roster trying to stay in the Super Bowl conversation.
The Legal Cloud
There’s also the uncomfortable subplot.
Diggs is dealing with ongoing legal issues — a factor that complicates long-term planning and risk assessment.
Add that to the cap number and age curve, and you can see why the Patriots are hesitating.
This isn’t about performance alone.
It’s about projection.
Diggs’ Message: “I Anticipate Being Here”
After the Patriots’ Super Bowl loss to Seattle, Diggs didn’t sound like a man planning an exit.
“Unless they opt out of the contract… I anticipate being here. I hope so. Love my guys.”
That’s the human side of it.
But as Diggs himself admitted:
“I don’t control it.”
And in today’s NFL, control belongs to the cap sheet.
The Bigger Picture
The Patriots are walking a fine line.
They’ve got a young franchise quarterback in Drake Maye. They’re managing future extensions. They’re trying to build sustainable contention — not just chase one-year windows.
If they can get similar production for less money and more long-term upside, they’ll make the move.
If they can’t?
Diggs probably stays — possibly on a reworked deal.
Either way, the next few weeks will define whether Stefon Diggs was a bridge piece… or a foundation stone.
And in Foxborough, those decisions aren’t emotional.
They’re strategic.
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