Patriots to release WR Stefon Diggs

The New England Patriots intend to release veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs next week at the start of the league year, multiple outlets reported Wednesday.

The 32-year-old seemingly confirmed the reports with a social media post that pictured him on the field in an all-white New England uniform, captioned: “THANK YOU for a hell of a year. We family forever,” followed by a red heart emoji.

The former All-Pro played 17 games for the AFC champion Patriots in his only season with the team in 2025. While he served as the No. 1 target for young quarterback Drake Maye, he was due a $6 million contract guarantee -- part of his $20.6 million base salary for 2026 -- on March 13.

Diggs signed a three-year, $63.5 million contract with New England last March after tearing his ACL in the 2024 season as a member of the Houston Texans.

His recovery was a success. He caught 85 passes for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns as part of his seventh career 1,000-yard season.

A fifth-round draft pick out of Maryland in 2015 by the Minnesota Vikings, Diggs went on to become a four-time Pro Bowl selection with the Vikings (2015-19), Buffalo Bills (2020-23), Texans and Patriots.

His All-Pro season came in 2020 when he caught 127 passes for 1,535 yards - both totals led the league -- and scored eight touchdowns.

In 161 career games (153 starts), Diggs has 942 receptions for 11,504 yards and 74 receiving touchdowns. His receptions and yards rank in the top six among active players.

Off the field, Diggs is facing charges of felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery after an alleged dispute with his personal chef. He is due back in court on April 1.

Reuters