Stefon Diggs linked with four teams amid Patriots, A.J. Brown rumors

As Evan Cormier of NESN mentioned this week, recent whispers have emerged suggesting that the New England Patriots could complete an expected trade for wantaway Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown and also bring free-agent receiver Stefon Diggs back for a second season with the organization. 

For his latest mailbag published on Wednesday, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated addressed whether or not the Patriots could have Brown and Diggs on their roster this coming September. 

Could A.J. Brown and Stefon Diggs be teammates with the Patriots this season?

"I do think an A.J. Brown trade will happen," Breer wrote. "I also don’t think, for a variety of reasons, you’ll see Diggs and A.J. Brown together in New England. Now, I believe the Patriots love Diggs, and Diggs would love to return. But any realistic talk about his return, to me, hinges on whether the Brown trade happens."

New England likely won't officially acquire Brown before June 1 for reasons related to the salary cap. As for Diggs, he led the 2025 Patriots in the regular season with 85 receptions, 102 targets and 1,013 receiving yards. He tallied four touchdown catches over 17 games. 

During the Patriots' run to their Super Bowl LX appearance, it was learned that Diggs was facing charges of felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery stemming from an alleged incident said to have occurred on Dec. 2. Diggs was ultimately found not guilty regarding the matter, but Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio noted on May 7 that the NFL's investigation of Diggs under the personal conduct policy "remains open." Thus, Diggs could potentially have to serve a suspension during the 2026 campaign. 

If not the Patriots, what team for Stefon Diggs?

"Assuming Brown does become a Patriot," Breer continued, "I think Diggs will probably be somewhere in that one-year, $10M range. The Chiefs could make sense. The Commanders might, too, since Diggs is from D.C. The Falcons and Rams would also be interesting landing spots."

The Chiefs are among the teams that reportedly could explore a trade for Brown if he doesn't end up in New England. Many believe the Commanders will eventually add San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk to their roster. Atlanta is still looking for help at the position, while the win-now Rams may want to give quarterback and reigning regular-season MVP Matthew Stafford some more help before Week 1 arrives.