The New England Patriots signed Stefon Diggs to a three-year, $63.5 million contract last March. He had a solid inaugural season in New England, recovering from a torn ACL in record time and earning praise for his leadership and work ethic while finishing as the team’s leading receiver. Diggs hauled in 85 receptions for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns in the regular season, adding 14 for 110 yards and one score in the playoffs. However, the four-time Pro Bowler had a disappearing act in the Super Bowl, logging just three catches for 37 yards and eight catches for 54 yards over the final two games.
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Diggs’ 2025 was also marred by controversy. During voluntary OTAs, he was spotted on a yacht in Miami with multiple women, appearing to hand out an unidentified pink powder substance. He is also facing felony charges of strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery, stemming from an alleged December 2 altercation with his personal chef. Diggs has pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing. He has a pre-trial hearing scheduled for April 1 in Dedham District Court in Massachusetts.
The New England Patriots give ultimatum to the 32-year old pass catcher
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) during halftime against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) during halftime against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
The Patriots gave Stefon Diggs an ultimatum: restructure his contract or be released. He is scheduled to earn a $20.6 million base salary, with $1.7 million guaranteed and an additional $6 million guaranteed if on the roster past March 13, a per-game bonus totaling $1.7 million, a $200,000 workout bonus, $22.5 million in cash, and a $26.5 million cap charge. The front office was attempting to reach a resolution before March 13.
The Patriots are moving on from controversial 4x-Pro Bowler
New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) during halftime against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Patriots have informed Stefon Diggs that he will be released at the start of the new league year, though he did not specify whether the team would use a pre- or June 1 designation. There were reports that the four-time Pro Bowler was unwilling to take a pay cut. A standard release clears $16.8 million in cap space while taking on $9.7 million in dead cap. A post-June 1 designation clears $20.8 million on June 2nd while taking on $5.7 million dead cap in 2026 and $4 million in 2027.
The Patriots informed four-time Pro Bowl WR Stefon Diggs they’re releasing him after the start of the league year next week, per sources. pic.twitter.com/cRKS8pJw9G
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 4, 2026