The New England Patriots' wide receiver room is going to look completely different heading into the 2026 season, as Stefon Diggs was cut loose just one year into a three-year contract and was replaced by trade acquisition AJ Brown and free agent signing Romeo Doubs. Brown is a known stud, but Doubs is a lesser-known quantity.
After signing Doubs to a four-year, $68 million contract in free agency, New England is clearly taking a risk by assuming that he will continue gradually improving his production. They think Diggs is on the decline, though the former Buffalo Bills star now finally has the opportunity to show Mike Vrabel that he made a mistake by parting ways with him.
Diggs will sign a one-year contract worth up to $12 million with the Washington Commanders, moving into a role as the No. 2 option for Jayden Daniels behind Terry McLaurin. Diggs, a DMV native, and Doubs will have similar roles and (likely) target shares, giving them both an opportunity to prove who is better once and for all.
Patriots picking Romeo Doubs over Stefon Diggs will be tested after Commanders signing
Diggs, who caught 85 passes for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns last season, was deemed to be too much of a distraction to keep around not good enough to be a true No. 1 wide receiver at this stage of his career. Doubs, who caught 55 passes for 724 yards and six touchdowns with the Green Bay Packers last season, is a younger option with his best football in the windshield.
There is a world where Vrabel looks like a genius for this move. Diggs will turn 33 in November and is going to a Commanders team in the middle of completely overhauling their offensive scheme. Doubs, meanwhile, can get tons of one-on-one opportunities to shine due to the gravity Brown provides.
However, the nightmare scenario is an equally present reality. Diggs may mesh perfectly with his new home in Washington, while Doubs' average production despite a fairly meaty role in Green Bay translates over to New England. Subtracting weapons from Maye while he is on his cheap rookie deal could come off as mismanagement.
Vrabel has earned the benefit if the doubt when it comes to many of his personnel moves on the margins after leading this team to a Super Bowl in his first season with the squad, but picking Doubs over Diggs has the potential to age very poorly very quickly.
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