From the moment it was announced that the Patriots were unexpectedly releasing wide receiver Stefon Diggs just one year into his three-year contract, fans have been hoping he would manage to make his way back to New England for another season, as he was the first receiver to record 1,000+ receiving yards since Julian Edelman in 2019.
His chemistry with Drake Maye was clear, and the potential of what the pair could accomplish together was enough to make fans want to see more. The problem is that while Eliot Wolf had kept the door open for a reunion, the longer the offseason has progressed, the less likely Diggs' return has become.
Because we're now just a week out from the start of training camp, the dream of the receiver's return is certainly on death's door, and the fact that he's dealing with even more offseason drama, all of which appears to be legal matters, the Patriots have even more reason to avoid re-signing him.
It's an unfortunate development for a player who seemed to be with the right team at the right time last year, and although the trade for A.J. Brown made it seem certain that Diggs wouldn't return, the thought of a receiving corps led by Brown and Diggs felt too good to be true.
And based on what we know now, it proves that's exactly what it was.
Stefon Diggs will not be playing for the Patriots again in 2026
With the latest reporting that Diggs is dealing with a few civil lawsuits this summer, that gives more than enough reason for the Patriots to look the other way if they were still hoping to bring in any more wide receivers for the upcoming season.
Although his legal drama isn't necessarily going to affect his performance, it's the constant gossip and headlines that are a distraction. And the Patriots are not in a position to deal with that after the offseason they've had.
There has been plenty of that with the scandal involving Mike Vrabel and NFL insider Dianna Russini, so they certainly don't need to make the situation worse by taking on a player with a ton of baggage, especially legal drama.
If it weren't for what Diggs is dealing with, maybe there would be a chance that he could re-sign with New England, especially since there hasn't been much reported about teams reaching out to him with interest in signing him.
There have been whispers, particularly with the Commanders after the Brandon Aiyuk situation blew up in their face, but Diggs is no closer to finding a new team than he was a few months ago.
Fortunately, the Patriots are not in a position to desperately need a receiver of his caliber, since they traded for Brown last month. It certainly doesn't hurt that they also signed Doubs in free agency, and expectations are high for many others in the receiving corps.
So it seems fair to state that Diggs won't suit up with the Patriots again in 2026, and probably not again. But that can just make us even more grateful for the one year he was a Patriot and the contributions he made in helping them reach the Super Bowl, to everyone's surprise.
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