Patriots Release WR Stefon Diggs

The New England Patriots released wide receiver Stefon Diggs on the first day of the 2026 league year, ending his brief tenure with the team just months after their appearance in Super Bowl LX. The move came amid a combination of escalating salary cap obligations and ongoing off-field concerns surrounding the 32-year-old veteran, who had signed a three-year contract worth approximately $69 million before the 2025 season.

Diggs quickly proved his value on the field for the Patriots, serving as their primary target in an offense led by second-year quarterback Drake Maye. In 2025, he recorded 85 receptions for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns during the regular season, while adding a touchdown in the playoffs. His contributions helped New England capture the AFC East title and advance to the Super Bowl, where they fell to the Seattle Seahawks on February 8, 2026. However, the team's front office cited a mismatch with their organizational culture as a key factor in the decision to part ways.

Sources close to the Patriots indicated that Diggs' personal life had become a distraction, particularly his high-profile relationship with rapper Cardi B. The couple made their first public...