New England Patriots Set To Release Stefon Diggs

The New England Patriots are reportedly preparing to part ways with veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs when the 2026 league year officially begins next week.

According to league sources, the move is largely financial. Diggs’ salary cap number was set to skyrocket from $10.5 million to $26.5 million, and his contract included a clause guaranteeing an additional $6 million if he remained on the roster beyond next week.

Shortly after the news broke, the 32-year-old wideout addressed the moment on Instagram.

“Thank you for a hell of a year,” Diggs wrote. “We family forever.”

Diggs signed a three-year, $69 million deal with New England last March and immediately became the team’s No. 1 receiving option. He led the Patriots during the regular season with 85 receptions for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns, providing quarterback Drake Maye with a reliable target.

He also showed up in the postseason, recording 14 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown during the Patriots’ playoff run that ended at Super Bowl LX.

Off the field, Diggs is currently facing legal scrutiny related to an alleged dispute with his personal chef. Authorities filed felony strangulation and related charges, to which Diggs has pleaded not guilty. A pretrial hearing is reportedly scheduled for April 1.

With Diggs expected to exit, New England will now look to reshape its receiving corps. Veterans Mack Hollins and Kayshon Boutte headline the returning group alongside DeMario Douglas.

Head coach Mike Vrabel recently addressed the challenge at the NFL Scouting Combine, emphasizing how rare elite receivers are in free agency.

“You have to draft them,” Vrabel said. “You develop them.”

The Patriots hold 11 picks in the upcoming draft, including the No. 31 overall selection — and finding a new No. 1 target will likely be high on the priority list.