The New England Patriots made a surprising roster call when they released veteran wideout Stefon Diggs after just one season. The move saved serious cap space, but it also left a major question hanging over the offense, especially after Diggs led the team in nearly every receiving category during the 2025 campaign.
Eliot Wolf Hints Patriots Could Revisit Stefon Diggs Deal After Cap-Saving Cut
Now, a fresh twist has entered the conversation. While the separation initially looked final, a top executive hinted the story might not be over yet. With the receiver market still taking shape and the Patriots still searching for more firepower around quarterback Drake Maye, the possibility of a reunion suddenly feels a little less far-fetched.
Speaking with local reporters at Gillette Stadium on Thursday, Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf suggested the team hasn’t completely ruled out bringing Diggs back.
According to WEEI’s coverage of the media session, Wolf made it clear the organization will keep exploring every possible way to upgrade the roster, even if that means revisiting a recent breakup.
“We’re always looking for ways to improve the team, so not gonna say that anything’s final at any position on the roster. We wish Stefon the best. He was a tremendous player for us all season. I feel like wherever he goes next, if it’s elsewhere, if he comes back here, he’s gonna have a tremendous season.”
The comments raised eyebrows because Diggs had just been released days earlier. The decision wasn’t about performance. It was largely a financial calculation. By cutting the veteran wideout, the Patriots freed up significant salary cap space while resetting parts of the roster heading into 2026.
Still, the numbers Diggs produced during his lone season in Foxborough made the move feel complicated. The 32-year-old finished the 2025 season as the Patriots’ top receiving weapon. He recorded 85 catches, 1,013 yards, and 51 first downs, becoming the franchise’s first 1,000-yard receiver since Julian Edelman crossed that mark in 2019. According to PFSN’s WR Impact Metrics, Diggs posted an 87.0 Impact Score, ranking fourth among all NFL receivers.
Wolf acknowledged the decision involved multiple layers beyond production. “Financials, ability, a lot of things go into this. We just really appreciate all of his contributions.”
Diggs also made a quick impression inside the locker room. He built a strong rapport with Maye and stepped into a leadership role almost immediately. Teammates frequently referenced the motivational mantra he introduced during the 2025 season, which quickly became part of the team’s identity. Because of that influence, his departure created an obvious gap in the receiver room.
The Patriots have already added help by signing Romeo Doubs, but the front office is still exploring additional options. The team has been linked to potential trade discussions involving A.J. Brown, while several veteran free agents remain on the market.
Yet the most intriguing option might be the one they just let walk. Wolf admitted the team had tried to renegotiate Diggs’ contract before making the release official. When those talks didn’t produce a new deal, the Patriots moved forward with the cut. But when asked whether the door was permanently closed, Wolf left it open for reconsideration.
For now, Diggs will test the market and gauge interest from other teams. But if opportunities around the league don’t develop the way he hopes, and if the Patriots continue searching for proven playmakers, they may find themselves revisiting a familiar name. Just weeks after a breakup that felt definitive, a reunion suddenly isn’t impossible.
