The New England Patriots’ decision to release Stefon Diggs indeed came as a surprise, given the team’s run to the Super Bowl and the wide receiver’s productive year. He was, after all, quarterback Drake Maye’s key target man throughout the season.
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Diggs had signed a three-year, $69 million deal with the Patriots last March. However, the structure of the contract allowed the organization to effectively turn it into a one-year arrangement.
With his base salary scheduled to jump from $2.9 million to $20.6 million in 2026, and his cap hit rising to $26.5 million, the Patriots opted to release him before the new league year begins. While the financial consideration offers justification, the move still raised questions because of Diggs’ production: He finished the 2025 regular season with 85 receptions for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns.
Former NFL tight end and analyst Shannon Sharpe has an idea why the Patriots made the move. Speaking to Chad Johnson on his podcast, Sharpe suggested the organization may have been concerned about distractions surrounding Diggs outside the field.
“I thought he did a great job in the locker room. I thought he was great, being available when he played — he balled out,” Sharpe said. “But I think the distractions off the field are too much for them.”
Sharpe acknowledged that none of the allegations surrounding Diggs have been proven. However, the Patriots’ long-standing organizational philosophy often leaves little tolerance for off-field noise.
“Everything is an allegation. None of it has been proved,” Sharpe said. “But knowing that organization, if it ain’t football related, they ain’t trying to hear about it.”
Johnson largely agreed with Sharpe but emphasized that Diggs still proved he can contribute at a high level. In fact, Ocho believes Diggs won’t remain on the market long and even floated a potential landing spot close to home.
“I think Diggs had a great season — he had a thousand-yard season,” Johnson said. “He’s going to get picked up. I won’t be surprised if he ends up in Baltimore… He’s from the DMV area.”
If that happens, Diggs would team up with quarterback Lamar Jackson, potentially giving the Ravens another veteran receiving option.
Sharpe also pushed back against the idea that Diggs’ release signals the end of his productivity. He feels that the veteran receiver could improve as he plays more games since recovering from the ACL injury.
“He got some juice left, though. I know he ain’t done,” Sharpe said. “Now he’ll be two years removed from that ACL, so he should be better than he was this year.”
With the Patriots moving forward with younger receivers and additional salary-cap flexibility, Diggs now enters free agency once again. However, like Johnson and Sharpe noted, given his production and experience, it may not take long for another contender to give the veteran wideout his next opportunity.
