Stefon Diggs faced felony charges in Massachusetts that threatened his NFL career. A Dedham jury found the 32-year-old not guilty of strangulation and assault against his former live-in chef on May 5. What happens next could reshape the balance in the NFC East.
The Patriots released Diggs in March before the trial concluded. That roster move was reported as a salary cap decision, not a legal one. His 2025 production told a very different story about his value.
Diggs is currently a free agent, meaning he’s looking to join a new team. Several teams are showing interest in him, including one that might surprise fans because it connects him to his hometown.
Stefon Diggs points to hometown Commanders after court acquittal
Born in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and having gone to Good Counsel High School and the University of Maryland, Diggs is a local favorite who might make a big return.
Following a productive 2025 season where he caught 85 passes for 1,045 yards despite a previous ACL tear, the Gaithersburg native and former Good Counsel High School star is seen as a major asset for a WR-needy Washington team. This move could rejuvenate his career and bring him back to his roots.
Stefon Diggs
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) against the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
New Commanders defensive end Charles Omenihu has publicly recruited Diggs on social media with a “Burgundy & gold” comment, which Diggs acknowledged.
Analystsview this as a potential “prove-it” deal that would add an elite route runner alongside Terry McLaurin, providing quarterback Jayden Daniels with a significant weapon
Diggs spoke at a charity event for his Diggs Deep Foundation. A reporter from The Team 980-AM asked about contact with Commanders players. The response shifted the entire conversation around his current free agency status.
“A little bit,” Diggssaid. “I’m familiar with the city. I’m familiar with the people, so we’re going to see down the pipe over these next couple months what looks good, what makes sense.”
Diggs will turn 33 when the 2026 season begins this fall. The NFL could still review the December incident under its personal conduct policy regardless of the acquittal. That pending review adds real uncertainty to any potential signing timeline.
Pro Football Focus named Washington the ideal fit for Diggs among all NFL teams. The Commanders also face a separate decision on San Francisco receiver Brandon Aiyuk. The choice between Aiyuk and Diggs involves age, cost, and risk.
Both options address the same roster gap with very different timelines. For Diggs, the hometown connection is real and now publicly acknowledged. The coming weeks will reveal whether that connection turns into a contract.