
The New England Patriots exceeded expectations last season, finishing 14-3 and capturing the AFC East for the first time since 2019. Although their run ended with a Super Bowl loss to the Seattle Seahawks, it marked a remarkable turnaround from their 4-13 campaign in 2024.
Quarterback Drake Maye enjoyed a breakout campaign, finishing runner-up to Matthew Stafford in the MVP race, while veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs led New England's receiving corps with 85 catches for 1,013 yards alongside four touchdowns.
Despite that production, the Patriots made the surprising decision to release Diggs just one year into his three-year, $63.5 million deal. The 32-year-old carried a $26.5 million cap hit in each of the remaining seasons, and with the team exploring other options, including trade speculation surrounding A.J. Brown, New England opted to move on just before free agency opened.
While Diggs has remained unsigned, the Patriots have since reshaped their receiver room, adding former Green Bay Packers wideout Romeo Doubs on a four-year, $80 million deal. They also have Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins on the roster, but a true WR1 is still lacking, and with Philadelphia still appearing unwilling to move Brown, a reunion with Diggs remains a logical possibility.
That possibility has not been ruled out internally either. Executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf recently made it clear that the door is still open for the four-time Pro Bowler.
“I never like to rule anything out. There’s always different scenarios that come up. Whether you have an injury, or a scheme shift, or whatever the case may be. Don’t wanna close the door on anything," he said on "Up and Adams Show".
Patriots Exec. VP of Player Personnel Eliot Wolf on a potential Pats-Stefon Diggs reunion:
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) March 30, 2026
"I never like to rule anything out... Don't want to close the door on anything." @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/CfNjKKEGhf
Given Diggs' success in New England, mutual interest in a reunion would not be surprising. According to Spotrac, Diggs is projected to command a two-year deal worth around $27.6 million, a figure well within reach for a Patriots team with roughly $36 million in cap space.
That said, there are still questions to address. Earlier reporting from Patriots insider Andrew Callahan suggested the team would have been open to retaining Diggs in a reduced role rather than as a true WR1, likely at a lower cap figure.
Diggs will turn 33 during the 2026 season and is also dealing with an unresolved legal matter, with a pre-trial hearing scheduled for April 1. While he remains a productive receiver, New England must weigh whether he can still serve as a top option or if the team is better off continuing its pursuit of a younger, long-term solution through a trade or the draft.
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