The New England Patriots were rightfully receiving criticism about not surrounding their young promising quarterback with talent this offseason. While the Patriots still have work to do in that department, they at least made one appealing signing, inking Stefon Diggs to a three-year deal worth $69 million, per Ian Rapoport.
While the Patriots signed Diggs to a three-year deal, when breaking down the contract further, Andrew Callahan noted that the team should be able to get out of the contract after one year if things don't go well.
"The initial terms look good for the #Patriots.It's a longer deal (3 years), so they get a fully healthy Diggs in 2026 and 2027, but the gap in guaranteed money ($26 million) to total money ($69 million) indicates the team can still cut bait in case things go south," Boston Herald's Andrew Callahan wrote on X.
Patriots played it smart with Stefon Diggs' contract
Essentially, while this is a three-year deal on paper, it's actually more of a one-year deal in disguise. The Patriots only gave Diggs $26 million in guaranteed money and while we don't know the per-year guarantees just yet, more often than not the guarantees come early in the contract.
This makes it easier for the Patriots to punt on Diggs if he doesn't live up to the hype.
So, with that contract knowledge, it's hard to be upset with this move. The Patriots needed talent for Drake Maye on the offensive side of the ball and they have that with Diggs. It's also a move that can really stick it to the Bills, as Diggs played in Buffalo for four years before they traded him to Houston last offseason.
The wide receiver room was (and still is, to a degree) looking grim and Diggs certainly helps polish it up a bit. He'll definitely be one of the starters and as of now, it'd likely be Kayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas starting alongside him, though the team brought in Mack Hollins this offseason as well. It also wouldn't be surprising at all if the Patriots drafted help at the position.
The Patriots had a need at the wide receiver position and they went out and added a solid option for Maye. Let's hope it pans out but even if it doesn't, the contract is going to be fairly easy for the team to get out of so either way, this deal is a win for New England.