The New England Patriots are on the comeback trail, as head coach Mike Vrabel and the team aim to return even stronger after being Super Bowl runners-up last season. The front office managed to secure a solid roster; however, there’s a lingering question around the receiving corps.
A.J. Brown Favored To Join Patriots Over Stefon Diggs
The Patriots sported one of the most efficient offenses in the NFL last season, putting up an 86.6 PFSN Offense Impact rating with Drake Maye under center and Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator. Averaging 28.8 points per game, Maye ran the No. 2 offense in pro football, right behind the LA Rams.
However, McDaniels’s offensive genius failed in the 11th hour, as they fell 28-13 to the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl. The team subsequently took to the offseason, with many expecting the front office to shore up the offense.
Amid preseason preparations, fans and analysts are speculating about where two of the top wide receivers in the league will end up: A.J. Brown and Stefon Diggs. Diggs was part of New England’s title run in 2025; however, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer doesn’t expect the Patriots to bring him back for their 2026 campaign.
“I’d say it’s unlikely that both A.J. Brown and Stefon Diggs will be aboard, and it’s very likely that Brown will be a Patriot this time next week, making it less likely that Diggs will be one again any time soon,” Breer wrote. “That, by the way, isn’t about any sort of hard feelings that the Patriots have — in fact, the folks there, to a man, love Diggs.”
Four-time Pro Bowler Diggs had his best campaign since 2023 last season, recording 85 catches for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns. However, the Patriots have to look at the bigger picture before considering bringing him back.
“This is about overall fit,” Breer wrote. “Diggs is 32 with plenty of injury history. A.J. Brown turns 29 next month and has a ton of mileage on his legs. Both are accustomed to being the focal point of an offense. The Patriots are also bringing in Romeo Doubs from the Packers… So if you become reliant on Diggs and Brown, and one or both go down, that’s not great. And there’s only one ball to go around.”
Acquiring both stars was always going to be hard and, to some degree, unnecessary. The Patriots have solid depth at wide receiver to support one lead man, which further supports a case for Brown.
“So, again, this is simply a fit thing,” Breer concluded. “If injuries were to change the Patriots’ situation and Diggs were still available, I’d bet the door would stay open. But I don’t think it’s in the plans now.”
If the Patriots can unlock the same magic on offense from 2025, while having a star like Brown on board, fans can look forward to an electric 2025 campaign from Maye and company.
