Stefon Diggs may have been the focal point of the passing attack led by Drake Maye for the New England Patriots, but the veteran wideout’s tenure in Foxborough proved to be short-lived. The Patriots are set to release the All-Pro receiver ahead of the start of the new league year on March 11, freeing up a significant amount of cap space.
Jaylinn Hawkins Hails Stefon Diggs As One Of His Greatest Ever Teammates
Diggs joined the Patriots on a three-year, $63.5 million contract last offseason, and despite coming off an ACL injury, he eclipsed the 1,000 receiving yards for the eighth straight healthy season. He is ranked fourth in PFSN’s WR Impact metric, earning an 87.0 WRI grade.
However, Diggs carried a $26.5 million cap hit in each of the next two seasons. With the receiver set to turn 33 next season and dealing with unresolved legal issues, New England ultimately determined that releasing him made more sense than retaining him.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Wednesday that Diggs had been informed he would be released. Diggs handled the decision professionally, sharing an Instagram story thanking the Patriots. “THANK YOU for a hell of a year,” he wrote.
Patriots safety Jaylinn Hawkins, who is also set to hit free agency, was asked whether he hoped Diggs would remain in New England.
“For sure, without a doubt. Stefon is like one of the greatest teammates I’ve ever had. Good player. True leader,” Hawkins said, while also acknowledging the reality that players have little control over such roster decisions.
Diggs may have spent only one season alongside Hawkins and the Patriots, but he clearly left a lasting impression. That impact extended to Maye, who had hoped to continue building chemistry with the veteran receiver next season.
“Man, I wish I would have given him more chances in the game,” he said before the release. “I know he probably thinks the same way, and I think he’s just been a great force this year. I can’t say enough about what he’s done for us, what he’s done for this team, and what he’s proved to himself…He’s got a lot of juice left in the tank…I’m looking forward to getting a chance to hopefully throw him some more passes and watch [No.] 8 go.”
But the Patriots have decided to move on now, and the decision frees up $15.795 million in cap space, giving New England roughly $55 million available, the seventh-most in the NFL. The added flexibility could also help the team re-sign Hawkins, who emerged as a pivotal part of the defense last season.
