Stefon Diggs stood out as the top receiver for the New England Patriots during the previous campaign, hauling in 85 passes for 1,013 receiving yards. Despite that solid production, the veteran found himself without a spot on the roster as the new league year began this offseason.
New England opted to release the 32-year-old All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection back in March. Now an unrestricted free agent, Diggs has drawn ongoing speculation about a possible return on more team-friendly terms for a single season.
On Wednesday, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel fielded questions about whether the organization might bring Diggs back into the fold. His response offered a measured outlook on the situation while acknowledging the player’s past contributions.
“I mean, I think we are probably at the number that we would need right now,” Vrabel said.
The coach made it clear that the team feels comfortable with its current group but stopped short of ruling anything out entirely.
“I would not say anything is off the table. We would want to add anybody that could help us. I am not going to give a percentage on it, but I think we are happy with where we are at right now with the numbers and the people in the receiver room.”
Vrabel went on to express gratitude for what Diggs brought to the Patriots in the prior season.
“I appreciate Stefon as a person, as a player and what he did for us last year. I value that. He helped us win football games, helped us get to where we got. But right now I don’t think that that is something that I think we are exploring. But I would never say no.”
Following the decision to part ways with Diggs, the Patriots moved quickly to reshape their receiving corps. The team added former Green Bay Packers wideout Romeo Doubs through free agency and pulled off a significant trade to land standout A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles.
The arrival of Brown is viewed as a major catalyst that could elevate young quarterback Drake Maye to even greater heights. At 23 years old, Maye already made a strong impression by finishing as the runner-up for NFL MVP honors behind Los Angeles Rams signal-caller Matthew Stafford.
In just his second season, Maye guided the Patriots to an impressive 14-3 record and a trip to Super Bowl LX. Although the team came up short against the Seattle Seahawks in the championship game, the experience highlighted the promising direction of the franchise.
For his part, Diggs continues his search for a new home, marking what would be his fourth different team in four consecutive years. Recent reports suggested he showed some interest in potentially linking up with the Washington Commanders last month.
As the free agency period continues to unfold, the door remains cracked for a surprise reunion in New England, even as the Patriots appear focused on their revamped receiver group and supporting their rising quarterback.
