Patriots Player Departure Stefon Diggs Cut.

[mgteich]

There were off-the field legal issues. The team choose to make his OK 3- year deal into an OK one-year deal.

 

[Ross12]

I really like Pierce after watching tape.

-Release is pretty good, some good change of direction and good feet and hand use

-Had 1 drop on short pass where looked to run before catching ball, overall has good catch radius and catches balls well with hands. Smaller hands at 9 inches for such a big receiver but doesn’t look like effects him.

-Speed and quickness are evident. Many DB’s were clearly afraid of his deep speed and gave him extra space. Ran a 4.41 which is really good for his size, the long strides kind of help as your surprised how fast he is for his size. It's obvious on film on every play he's something different with the speed.

-Route running was pretty good, He worked a lot with Reggie Wayne to improve on intermediate routes and based on articles and coaching comments he improved from 2024. Uses his speed to setup up DB’s and does a good job of stopping route after selling going deep. In certain zone defenses it feels like he could do that every play and be open.

-Good vs man. McGuffey was the only guy that got the better of him. He did not lose every rep but definitely less open vs him than normal. Had several plays where he completely lost the CB. His advanced separation analytics are not great but I thought he had good separation overall.

-ADOT over 20 yards leading league 2 years in a row is impressive

-Not much YAC but not much opportunity, just wasn’t used in a way to have that. Looks like he has some potential. He’s not Chase or anything but think he can improve that in a different offense.

-His QBs sucked. Many chances at big plays were lost by the poor throws or decisions.

-Great reputation in the locker room and as a hard worker

-Will only be 26 for the entire 2026 season.

-Has made himself into a #1 type receiver by hard work and improvement. He is night and day better than 2022 and made a big leap in 2025.

-Some teams did give him extra respect with safeties over the top or the #1 corner on him.

-He's a legitimate outside receiver, will be the best they had here since Moss.


Here are the caveats with him:

-Never been the #1 guy. Colts spread it around.
-Before 2025 separation was an issue. Improved in 2025 but as he struggled against McDuffee will he struggle more as the #1 target? Can he improve on his improved separation in 2025?
-YAC not really part of his game, may never really be as might not be a product of the system, hard to tell.


My Conclusions
-Though there is risk here, I am all in on paying him what is needed and slotting him as the #1 WR going forward.
-He's 26 in May.

-WRs with >= 150 Routes, YPRR >= 2.20, Win Rate >= 10%, ASS (Average Separation Score) >= 0.05, Age <= 25

Puka Nacua, Jaxon Smith-Nijgba, Luther Burden, Alec Pierce, Ja'Marr Chase, George Pickens, Zay Flowers

-I just don't know where you get someone better. He's better than Diggs on tape. AJ Brown is older, has knee history and cost trade capital.

-He matches up perfectly with Drake Maye's strength. It's like they were made for each other.

-He gets into Josh's system and continues to improve with good coaching the sky is the limit. He's going to be good for sure and I think with Drake he will be great.

Your last couple points have been my crucial focus points. He is perfect for what the offense needs and he is perfect for Drake. Additionally, he is very young and he has a reputation of being a very hard worker who is accountable and continuously improving.

 

[DarrylS]

In my conspiratorial mind wonder if this had anything to do with the report of a Boston bar that was kept up after hours after the Denver game and at that party there were strippers and pro's...
Coupled with his pending charges, high cap hit could have been the proverbial straw...
Just spitballing...

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Henry should be next, IMO.

The existing cap space they have should go to improving the trenches on offense and edge rush on defense while also retaining or replacing/upgrading Hawkins at safety. But we have such a long timeline with Maye and the $25M of cap space/$33M of cash payments that Diggs and Henry were/are set to count for is better allocated towards younger skill players, IMO. At WR you have Pierce but also guys like Wan'dale Robinson and Romeo Doubs. At TE you have Otton, Likely, Okonkwo.

Ultimately I just think that younger options are better for us with such a young QB.

Yes if we can't run the ball against top teams we're cooked

 

[Huckleberry1]

I really like Pierce after watching tape.

-Release is pretty good, some good change of direction and good feet and hand use

-Had 1 drop on short pass where looked to run before catching ball, overall has good catch radius and catches balls well with hands. Smaller hands at 9 inches for such a big receiver but doesn’t look like effects him.

-Speed and quickness are evident. Many DB’s were clearly afraid of his deep speed and gave him extra space. Ran a 4.41 which is really good for his size, the long strides kind of help as your surprised how fast he is for his size. It's obvious on film on every play he's something different with the speed.

-Route running was pretty good, He worked a lot with Reggie Wayne to improve on intermediate routes and based on articles and coaching comments he improved from 2024. Uses his speed to setup up DB’s and does a good job of stopping route after selling going deep. In certain zone defenses it feels like he could do that every play and be open.

-Good vs man. McGuffey was the only guy that got the better of him. He did not lose every rep but definitely less open vs him than normal. Had several plays where he completely lost the CB. His advanced separation analytics are not great but I thought he had good separation overall.

-ADOT over 20 yards leading league 2 years in a row is impressive

-Not much YAC but not much opportunity, just wasn’t used in a way to have that. Looks like he has some potential. He’s not Chase or anything but think he can improve that in a different offense.

-His QBs sucked. Many chances at big plays were lost by the poor throws or decisions.

-Great reputation in the locker room and as a hard worker

-Will only be 26 for the entire 2026 season.

-Has made himself into a #1 type receiver by hard work and improvement. He is night and day better than 2022 and made a big leap in 2025.

-Some teams did give him extra respect with safeties over the top or the #1 corner on him.

-He's a legitimate outside receiver, will be the best they had here since Moss.


Here are the caveats with him:

-Never been the #1 guy. Colts spread it around.
-Before 2025 separation was an issue. Improved in 2025 but as he struggled against McDuffee will he struggle more as the #1 target? Can he improve on his improved separation in 2025?
-YAC not really part of his game, may never really be as might not be a product of the system, hard to tell.


My Conclusions
-Though there is risk here, I am all in on paying him what is needed and slotting him as the #1 WR going forward.
-He's 26 in May.

-WRs with >= 150 Routes, YPRR >= 2.20, Win Rate >= 10%, ASS (Average Separation Score) >= 0.05, Age <= 25

Puka Nacua, Jaxon Smith-Nijgba, Luther Burden, Alec Pierce, Ja'Marr Chase, George Pickens, Zay Flowers

-I just don't know where you get someone better. He's better than Diggs on tape. AJ Brown is older, has knee history and cost trade capital.

-He matches up perfectly with Drake Maye's strength. It's like they were made for each other.

-He gets into Josh's system and continues to improve with good coaching the sky is the limit. He's going to be good for sure and I think with Drake he will be great.

I want them to spend their money on OL, and have been opposed to giving Pierce the big money that people are throwing around, but I have to say that you make a strong argument for him. And pierce's comments, about wanting a stable quarterback situation, as well as wanting to go to franchise with a winning culture seem to point to a desire to play in New England, although their not the only franchise that fits that description. Ultimately it could be Vrabel who gives the Patriots the edge to sign Pierce if they really want him.

 

[Salsalife]

Gonna be tough to close on a 1k yard receiver in F.A. They go quick and expensive. We got lucky he did a good job on rehab..

 

[Ring 6]

That is not a "restructure" That is a new contract where the player agree to take a pay cut. And, yes I could certainly see Diggs refusing to take a voluntary pay cut, especially after his performance was MORE than the team should have ever expected.

Huh? Proarating 2024, it was his worst production in 8 years. His worst year in 8 seasons is MORE than they should have ever expected? Should they have expected more than 110 yards, less than half his reg season production, and 7.9 per catch in 4 playoff game?
They would not have paid him what they did if that was MORE than they could have ever expected

 

[Steve102]

Pass on Romeo Doubs he's another concussion away from retirement. You'll wince Everytime he gets Tackled no thanks.

Why, because he wears a guardian cap?

Dude’s only missed 4 games in his career because of concussion.

Gonzalez, Henderson, Boutte, Wilson and Douglas have all had concussions.

Settle down. He’s a productive player and a fine plan B.

 

[Thelonious]

I understand it. His record as a long-term member of previous teams is not good. The charges will be a distraction at the very least. His cost next year, barring negotiating his pay downward, which I doubt would happen, is awfully steep for player at his age with his medical record. It seems to me, notwithstanding our surprising success last year, that the team is still only part way through a rebuild from a really dismally low point and that therefore the emphasis ought still to be on draft-and-develop, on seeing to the development of younger players still on the roster. Diggs doesn't really fit in with that sort of approach. As good as he was last year, he is is very much toward the end of his career, wheras the team is early in its rebirth.

There's no way to know at this point whether the decision will result in a stronger or a weaker WR group this coming year. That depends on what they do going forward. I'm enjoying the process. It's more fun to watch a team on the rise than it was to watch the dreary end-game of the "dynasty" with all the weird nonsense that involved.

 

[Toofy]

How does this season look like say

we cut Henry

Moved Mac Hollins to Henry position as big bodied wide receiver.

Free agency sign

Alec pierce ( 24 aav)
Hendrickson( 24 aav)
Mike evans ( 14 aav ) 1 year out deal
Cade otton ( 7 aav)

 

[upstater1]

I just read that Alec Pierce has had 4 concussions in the last 2 years and 2 big ones within the last 9 months, the latter of which kept him out for several games.

Given this information: NO!!!!!

 

[PatsFan2]

Why, because he wears a guardian cap?

Dude’s only missed 4 games in his career because of concussion.

Gonzalez, Henderson, Boutte, Wilson and Douglas have all had concussions.

Settle down. He’s a productive player and a fine plan B.

Romeo Doubs had em real bad like out of it bad. No concussion is ever good but I'm just saying. Also we cant tie up that much money in FA WR's. One Big FA WR singing like *Alec Pierce* and then Draft the rest.

 

[Racervx54]

Any way he come backs?

 

[KCSVEN]

I just read that Alec Pierce has had 4 concussions in the last 2 years and 2 big ones within the last 9 months, the latter of which kept him out for several games.

Given this information: NO!!!!!

Definitely something you need to consider.
I think these tend to be more long-term issues than playing days issues. Brandin Cooks had probably 6 concussions and really just continued to play like he always did and after a run of them went years without having another one.

The main question is, will you be able to find a number one receiver as good as him and at an age that he can grow with Drake?
Especially since it only cost you money no draft capital or players

AJ Brown is older with a knee history and an attitude problem
DJ Moore is a nice number two, little older than Pierce and not as good player and will cost you draft capital and has a cat hit near 30 million
Yeah, you can draft a number one receiver late in the first during the second or get lucky later in the draft, but the odds are not great

Pierce does come with some risk, but not having a number one receiver for Drake May is probably a worse risk

 

[Bill Lee]

In my conspiratorial mind wonder if this had anything to do with the report of a Boston bar that was kept up after hours after the Denver game and at that party there were strippers and pro's...
Coupled with his pending charges, high cap hit could have been the proverbial straw...
Just spitballing...

It's all OK so long as they were mature Asian ladies...

 

[Bill Lee]

I’m actually shocked the Pats were willing to restructure with him and push money down the road. Diggs should’ve taken it playing on a team that just went to Super Bowl, but now he’s a journeyman being passed around like Brandin Cooks.

The good news for him is each new city means new women to impregnate.

 

[Wozzy]

I’m actually shocked the Pats were willing to restructure with him and push money down the road. Diggs should’ve taken it playing on a team that just went to Super Bowl, but now he’s a journeyman being passed around like Brandin Cooks.

He could theoretically get paid less to play next season and beyond. Of course he'll probably be playing on a dog of a team.

 

[Sect140]

Every player wants to improve. Thats different than saying they should change the way they play to a way that doesn’t suit him.

Again not saying he has to change the way he plays just improve a certain part of his game and a good way to do that is to have a really good slot receiver.

 

[Triumph]

Yeah, let’s turn the best down field passer in the nfl into a dunk and dunk chad Pennington. Genius.

Listen Maroney6, the Pats have OL problems and they are not going away. Your GM work will ruin the NE offense.

2026 defenses are bringing the heat after the Super Bowl debacle.

 

[Bill Lee]

Gonna be tough to close on a 1k yard receiver in F.A. They go quick and expensive. We got lucky he did a good job on rehab..

This guy who calls himself Ian wrote an article that I think tells us a lot about how things will turn out:

Vrabel said last week that when it comes to finding a top target, finding one in free agency usually isn’t an option, and that the draft might be another avenue.

“They’re not going to be there in free agency,” said Vrabel. “But you have to try to draft them. I think that’s where a lot of them are.”

“You develop them. Some of them develop. Guys, that transition in that position from year one to year two can be pretty special.”

Younger and cheaper doesn't seem to map onto spending $20M+ for a veteran WR.

Patriots Part Ways With Diggs Ahead of Free Agency, Adds a Key Need at WR | PatsFans.com

Releasing Stefon Diggs, the Patriots address financial and on-field concerns, creating a significant wide receiver need ahead of free agency.

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