When news broke last week that the Patriots were having free agent wide receiver Stefon Diggs in for a meeting, there was a lot of excitement about the team finally adding a WR1 the offense has needed for at least five years. They took a more relaxed approach at the beginning of free agency in surrounding Drake Maye with improved talent, so this was a move in the right direction.
Based on all accounts, the meeting went well. It spanned over two days, with Diggs having dinner with team personnel and working out for the team the following day. But he left Foxboro without a contract, with reports suggesting the two sides will remain in contact as the offseason continues.
Although that's not what fans were hoping for, with some ready to lead a revolt, it was a better sign that the team was willing to keep Diggs on the shortlist after his ACL injury than completely throw him aside.
However, there were concerns that the receiver was never serious about signing with the Patriots and was more interested in using them to draw attention from other teams, which might have been the case based on his latest social media post.
Stefon Diggs' latest video post doesn't make it look like the Patriots are all too interested in signing him
Because of his ACL injury last season, Diggs has fallen off the radar of many teams needing a wide receiver upgrade this offseason. Typically, that kind of injury would likely sideline him for the beginning of the season, which is never ideal for a team needing a talent of his caliber, even the Patriots.
All reports have claimed Diggs is much further ahead in his recovery than most players would be just months after the injury occurred, and he proved that with his latest video post to Instagram.
Diggs back in the weight room just 5 months after tearing his ACL 💪
— NFL (@NFL) March 24, 2025
(via stefondiggs/IG) pic.twitter.com/at2mSrYHFV
Related: Patriots' rumored interest in receiver could put Stefon Diggs plan on hold
While it's great to see how quickly he has healed and his ability to work out at a high level at this stage in his recovery, it's not a great look at the Patriots' chances of signing him. This feels like a calculated move by Diggs to prove to teams doubting his return he is ready to go much sooner than expected, which he wouldn't have to show the Patriots after their visit.
That raises more concerns about what the Patriots will ultimately do after his visit, especially with reports suggesting they are increasingly interested in another free-agent receiver, Tyler Lockett.
Everything seems to indicate that Diggs will not be on the Patriots roster for the 2025 season, forcing the new regime to look elsewhere for a band-aid fix or rely on getting their next WR1 in the draft, neither of which is the best-case scenario.