Patriots Player Departure Stefon Diggs Cut.

Ring 6 · Mar 5, 2026

mgteich said:
I suspect that we continue to confuse top 10 receivers in the NFL with a team's top starting WR. For example, Diggs was clearly the #1 WR (of 6) on a team that went to the Super Bowl.
====
The market for such players seems to be around $20M AAV. Diggs was cut when the team decided to move on because of legal concerns. As an aside, the contract was structured so that the team could get out reasonably after a year or extend him. I pointed out that this would happen before his bonus was (if it were going to happen). Folks corrected me and said that the bonus was non-existent.

In any case, Vrabel was able to make a straightforward decision. He decided to move on.

Where did you get that the team decided to move on because of legal concerns? It’s been reported he was offered to stay at a pay cut.
No one has reported it had anything to do with “legal concerns”.

TheRainMaker · Mar 5, 2026

I'm all for hearing why anyone doesn't like Pierce, but he's been the 3rd targeted WR on his team for his first 3 seasons and then the 4th most targeted in 2025. Despite the bad to mediocre QB's throwing to him, his production has gone up every season.

mgteich · Mar 5, 2026

TheRainMaker said:
I'm all for hearing why anyone doesn't like Pierce, but he's been the 3rd targeted WR on his team for his first 3 seasons and then the 4th most targeted in 2025. Despite the bad to mediocre QB's throwing to him, his production has gone up every season.

how much are paying for a #3 receiver?

KCSVEN · Mar 5, 2026

DaBruinz said:
If that's the case, you can tell me how he did against Stingley, McDuffie, Witherspoon, Surtain and Brown.

Is it you saying that Pierce was matched up against the No1 or No2 corner or is it an AI?? Half your post looks like you copied and pasted it.

I checked the CB on many of the games though I did not chart it in detail but was mostly #1 or #2 cornerbacks and logically that makes sense, team rarely play matchup where the 1 and 2 CB move to the slot, they generally play outside unless the #1 goes against a #1.

I used AI to see if it could help confirm that in more detail to supplement that, but I don't just use a basic search, it gave me a lot of detail as to which #1 or 2 corners he played against which weeks for the majority of snaps.

The only CB he struggled against on tape was McDuffee as mentioned. There was clearly a difference in his separation that game. It stood out because no other game was like that. You could just tell a difference.
That being said he was open on multiple plays but not thrown the ball so wasn't like he never got open.
Also he wasn't going to be thrown the Drake to Boutte type throw either so no chances for any contested plays like that because the QB's are not good on Colts.

There are like 10 #1 receivers when you ask people what a #1 receiver is. Pierce is currently not that. But I think he can be in the next 10.

Miguel · Mar 5, 2026

DaBruinz said:
It used to be a part of the CBA that teams had to get approval from the players to do it. That clause was removed 2 negotiations ago. As of the last negotiation, only 2 teams were still putting it in. The Pats were one of those teams.. I don't know if that has changed with Belichick's departure.

I have the 2006 CBA. Do not see the clause requiring approval in it. What article is it in?

TheRainMaker · Mar 5, 2026

mgteich said:
how much are paying for a #3 receiver?

The question remains whether teams view him as a 3rd option WR which I doubt. He's absolutely going to get paid a nice chunk of change. Based on what he's done, I'd view him in the $20M per year range.

PATSYLICIOUS · Mar 5, 2026

Huckleberry1 said:
People are going to hate this but I think Chism is going to be their replacement for Diggs in the slot. I think he will do well, but I doubt many will share that sentiment.

Chism seems like the ideal candidate for slot wr. Just depends if hes ready i guess.

Family · Mar 5, 2026

Huckleberry1 said:
People are going to hate this but I think Chism is going to be their replacement for Diggs in the slot. I think he will do well, but I doubt many will share that sentiment.

PATSYLICIOUS said:
Chism seems like the ideal candidate for slot wr. Just depends if hes ready i guess.

I like Chism, but he has to win the job. Except for a couple of plays he's shown little.

He can't return kicks. That's for sure.

WhatJustHappened · Mar 5, 2026

Family said:
I like Chism, but he has to win the job. Except for a couple of plays he's shown little.

He can't return kicks. That's for sure.

It's his 1st year.
How long did Troy take...he was CUT, I THINK NUMEROUS TIMES(I could be wrong, I'm old and refuse to double check)because he sucked according to one of the best coaches ever.
I'm sure he was the best ever when Parcels told him to pack his ****...of course Edleman was different, it took him awhile...how about Welker, he was a ST in Miami...
We can do this **** all day long

Family · Mar 5, 2026

WhatJustHappened said:
It's his 1st year.
How long did Troy take...he was CUT, I THINK NUMEROUS TIMES(I could be wrong, I'm old and refuse to double check)because he sucked according to one of the best coaches ever.
I'm sure he was the best ever when Parcels told him to pack his ****...of course Edleman was different, it took him awhile...how about Welker, he was a ST in Miami...
We can do this **** all day long

Did you even read my post?

Troy Brown had less than 200 total yards receiving going into his 4th year.

I'm talking about next year, not 2030.

He has to show something before we can talk about being a slot replacement for Diggs.

WhatJustHappened · Mar 5, 2026

Family said:
Did you even read my post?

Troy Brown had less than 200 total yards receiving going into his 4th year.

I'm talking about next year, not 2030.

He has to show something before we can talk about being a slot replacement for Diggs.

LMFAO,WHO SAID he was going to be a "Slot replacement" for Diggs?
Let me know, I'll appreciate it.
Btw, Diggs didn't just play slot, maybe you should watch the game.
2030? REALLY? :ROLLEYES:

Thanks

Family · Mar 5, 2026

WhatJustHappened said:
LMFAO,WHO SAID he was going to be a "Slot replacement" for Diggs?
Let me know, I'll appreciate it.
Btw, Diggs didn't just play slot, maybe you should watch the game.
2030? REALLY? :ROLLEYES:

Thanks

Again did you read the post?

I was literally responding to "People are going to hate this but I think Chism is going to be their replacement for Diggs in the slot."

Maybe use your eyes from reading rather than rolling.

WhatJustHappened · Mar 5, 2026

Family said:
Again did you read the post?

I was literally responding to "People are going to hate this but I think Chism is going to be their replacement for Diggs in the slot."

Maybe use your eyes from reading rather than rolling.

Maybe you should watch Road House or something...
I'm rolling my eyes at you, you betcha.
Tails Again.

scott99 · Mar 5, 2026

I’d love to get Pierce. And then I’d love to add a 2nd WR, either Doubs or Shaheed. Shaheed would add elite speed and kick return ability. Then we’d have Shaheed for kick returns and Marcus Jones for punt returns. Very explosive returners.

mgteich · Mar 5, 2026

TheRainMaker said:
The question remains whether teams view him as a 3rd option WR which I doubt. He's absolutely going to get paid a nice chunk of change. Based on what he's done, I'd view him in the $20M per year range.

fair enough

$20M for a replacement for Diggs seems OK, as long as he checks out medically, He has had lots of concussions.

Sorrynotsorry · Mar 6, 2026

festy1986 said:
Where are all the guys who downvoted me a couple weeks ago when I said there was no way Diggs was back?

I was ready to trade him at the end of the superbowl. What a ****show that was.

KCSVEN · Mar 6, 2026

Some Alec Pierce highlights from before last season where he made a pretty good leap.

DaBruinz · Mar 6, 2026

Miguel said:
I have the 2006 CBA. Do not see the clause requiring approval in it. What article is it in?

Miguel - appreciate your info, but that was just the "Terms" sheet (aka definitions)..

Diffs4 · Mar 6, 2026

upstater1 said:
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!!!!!

I read three over four years. I do not see two in the last nine months. He did miss two games last year, missed week 16 in 2024 (this is your two concussions in nine months, not the last nine months) and week 2 in 2022. Not sure how the front office analyzes this but having 3 concussions and missing 4 games in four years has to factor in. Either they are comfortable it is not an issue or a risk worth taking, or they will pass. I think it is the former. But it is a concern that needs to addressed as you mention.

Diffs4 · Mar 6, 2026

DaBruinz said:
You're forgetting the Tax Implication. If it's changed to a bonus, it get's taxed differently. Especially in places like CA and MA.

This is not true. There is no negative tax implication. All of these guys are already in the top tax bracket for both feds and state so a converted bonus is not going to push them into a different tax bracket like it might for you or me. And present value calculations would always favor getting the money as quickly as possible.

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