Since the moment the Patriots announced they had released receiver Stefon Diggs ahead of free agency, fans were eagerly awaiting his return, and rumors suggested that could actually happen. Even Eliot Wolf hinted that it might be in the works ahead of last month's draft, but not much has been said about it since.
Reporters believed his market might pick up after he was acquitted of the strangulation charge earlier this month, including with the Patriots. But then, second-year receiver Kyle Williams randomly decided he was switching from jersey No. 18 to No. 8, which was what Diggs wore in 2025.
That seemed to end all discussion about his potential return, even if he could easily just choose a different number. However, just a few days later, Williams changed his mind and will instead keep Matthew Slater's old number, prompting more rumors about Diggs.
And while he can still make his way back to New England before the 2026 season, especially if other teams don't express much interest this summer, Williams' explanation about opting out of his number change seems to shut down the premise that Diggs will be returning sooner rather than later.
Kyle Williams just ended all hope of a Stefon Diggs return to the Patriots
While speaking to reporters during a community event last week, Williams was asked about keeping No. 18 and what motivated him not to switch to Diggs' number.
He admitted it was just a "change of heart," and didn't fan any more flames to the idea that it was because he knew Diggs was returning.
“I just had a change of heart. And then my mom, she just didn’t want to get a new jersey, so your boy moved a little too fast. But no, just a little change of heart. I’m just happy that I’m back on the field.”
That's far from what many Patriots fans were hoping to hear, as plenty still hope that Diggs will suit up for the team again this fall. Adding him to the current receiving corps would give the offense the most impressive group they've had since the days of Tom Brady under center, and the last time he had that caliber of weaponry to work with is debatable.
It would surely give Drake Maye the best chance possible to reach superstardom even more and help shut down the concerns that were lingering from their Super Bowl collapse.
The idea of the receiver room being led by AJ Brown and Diggs is almost too good to be true, and from what we're hearing, it appears to be exactly that.
Unfortunately, Williams seems to have confirmed that even more, so fans will have to continue holding out hope for Diggs' return, but it might not be worth holding your breath over.
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