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It looks like Stefon Diggs will have to find his fourth NFL team in the same number of years.
The New England Patriots are expected to release the veteran wide receiver after the new league year begins on March 11, ending his time with the team just after he played a role in helping them reach Super Bowl LX.
Diggs, 32, signed a three-year contract with the Patriots, worth $63.5 million, in free agency last offseason. But he apparently confirmed the reports with an Instagram Stories post on Wednesday.
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Stefon Diggs of the New England Patriots speaks to his teammates during a huddle before an AFC playoff football game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
“THANK YOU for a hell of a year,” Diggs posted along with a photo of himself in a Patriots uniform on the field. “We are family forever [heart emoji]”.
Diggs, who completed his 11th NFL season last year, led the Patriots in key receiving statistics, including targets (102), receptions (85) and yards (1,013). He was a big reason why second-year quarterback Drake Maye was an MVP finalist, providing stability at a position the team needed to improve on this past offseason.
During his appearance at the NFL Scouting Combine last week, head coach Mike Vrabel praised Diggs, making his expected release interesting.
“He worked extremely hard during his knee rehab,” Vrabel told the media, referring to his torn ACL suffered with the Houston Texans in 2024. “I thought he was just a really good presence every week.”
But the team was evaluating what to do with Diggs, especially since his cap hit would increase from $10.5 million to $26.5 million for the 2026 season.
Stefon Diggs of the New England Patriots smiles during an NFL game between the Atlanta Falcons and the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on November 2, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
There are also his off-the-field legal issues that factor into New England’s decision, as he faces felony strangulation and other criminal charges following an alleged altercation with his personal chef in December 2025. He was arraigned on Feb. 13, just days after the Patriots fell to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, California.
Diggs pleaded not guilty to felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery.
“We’re going to let this all sort itself out, and then we’ll have to see what the rulings are in these particular cases,” Vrabel added of Diggs’ legal troubles, which continue April 1 with an additional pretrial hearing.
Stefon Diggs of the New England Patriots speaks to the media during opening night of Super Bowl LX at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center on February 2, 2026 in San Jose, California. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Diggs, who made four straight Pro Bowls during his years as Josh Allen’s favorite receiver with the Buffalo Bills, continues to be one of the most reliable receivers in the league no matter where he is. And he showed in New England that his rehab for the torn ACL went well, totaling more than 1,000 yards for the seventh time in his career.
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