Stefon Diggs is coming off his seventh 1,000-yard season in the past eight years, yet he remains unsigned after being released by the New England Patriots just one year into a three-year, $63.5 million contract. And if one NFL insider is to be believed, his chances of landing a new team may not be as promising as many expected.
NFL Insider Says Stefon Diggs’ Reputation May Be Hurting His Free Agency
Diggs definitely isn’t thinking about retirement. He’s made that obvious. If anything, he’s reminding everyone just how great he can be.
While he’s seemingly given up claims of being a No. 1 go-to option on any team he joins, the one-time First-Team All-Pro receiver recently stated in his YouTube channel video that no one can “name a No. 2 better than me.”
His production certainly supports that belief. However, according to senior NFL insider Mike Florio, talent isn’t the primary reason teams remain hesitant.
“You got to be willing at this stage of Diggs’ career, he’s going to be 33 in November, to tolerate the possibility that he’s not going to be happy,” Florio said on “Pro Football Talk.” “And it’s one thing to navigate your way around a potentially unhappy player when he is one of the best receivers in the NFL. As the skill level begins to diminish thanks to Father Time, you’re not going to have the time for that crap. You’re not going to be as willing to tiptoe around Stefon Diggs and make sure that he’s in the right mindset.”
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Florio referenced Tom Brady’s recent comments about life as an NFL wide receiver, noting that receivers often spend long stretches without seeing the ball, which can naturally lead to frustration.
“We’ve seen Stefon Diggs get frustrated in Minnesota to the point where he wanted out,” Florio added. “Frustrated in Buffalo to the point where he wanted out. One year with the Texans, they didn’t bring him back. One year with the Patriots, had a thousand-plus receiving yards. They had no qualms about moving on.
“So, it’s got to be a team, I believe, that is confident, it’s got a good enough roster that they’re going to be competitive and contend, and there’s a quarterback who is able and willing to deal with Stefon Diggs on the days that Stefon Diggs may not be happy. That complicates the situation for Diggs.”
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After joining the Patriots from the Texans, Diggs was a key cog in the offense that reached Super Bowl LX last season. He earned a PFN WR Impact score of 82.9, which ranked him No. 7 in the league after tallying 1,013 receiving yards on 85 catches, resulting in four touchdowns.
Given the concerns Florio outlined, coupled with Diggs’ recent legal issues, it’s perhaps not surprising that he remains on the open market. However, Diggs was found not guilty of the charges, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes interest in the veteran receiver could increase once teams begin dealing with injuries and roster needs during training camp.
