Patriots Player Departure Stefon Diggs Cut.

[TheRainMaker]

Sounds like he was being a clown… more than usual.

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.

 

[Ring 6]

I doubt they can afford both but Shaheed would be an excellent combo with Pierce. Gives us a KR too.

Shaheed was dumped by the saints and caught something like 12 passes in 11 games with Seattle. No thanks.

 

[Ring 6]

Too many people are sleeping g on Kyle Williams. This guy has an opportunity and the physical ability to take it to the next level. Excited to see what he does with the chance.

It’s just too big a gamble to rely on him to be a starter yet.
If we are bringing back Hollins I guess you could have Williams push him out without much to risk but you still need another WR before Boutte.

 

[n1997y]

DJ Moore is basically Boutte - just a bit bigger and more aggressive.
But at his age and with a lot of wear on those tires, I don't think I'd want to pay what'll be necessary to get him.

I'd really rather Pierce (or conciliation Doubs) - which is something we don't have right now.
And probably cost the same as DJ.

Cost would be very different. DJ costs a pick in trade, then you take on his present contract that has four years remaining. According to Spotrac his cap hit is $28.5 million this year and the next two, then $24.5 in ‘29.

Pierce or Doubs would be FA signing, no draft pick cost, and cap is whatever the contract negotiated carries.

Now that I’ve looked at DJs cap hit I’m much less enthusiastic about trading for him.

 

[n1997y]

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.

Were they really? Or did they look at the off field antics and decide to move on, while letting folks think they tried and failed to agree?

 

[JoeSixPat]

I don't think his cap hit was that big. Mediocre WRs will start being paid $20m. Heck, Christian Kirk got $18m 5 years ago!

I think we will miss Diggs a lot.

Not outrageous when you consider $20 mil is about what we paid him last season - but a cap number that could be taken down with an extension had he been willing.

I think both sides may regret the parting of the ways - but I have a feeling the off field issues were enough of a concern for the Pats to let him walk.

It will be interesting to see how much money and what percentage of targets they'll invest in a new "#1WR" - as I think the existing WRs have already shown they can be a deep threat, and I'm just not sure abandoning the spread offense is the best thing for this team.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Cost would be very different. DJ costs a pick in trade, then you take on his present contract that has four years remaining. According to Spotrac his cap hit is $28.5 million this year and the next two, then $24.5 in ‘29.

Pierce or Doubs would be FA signing, no draft pick cost, and cap is whatever the contract negotiated carries.

Now that I’ve looked at DJs cap hit I’m much less enthusiastic about trading for him.

Right - that's about what we were paying for Diggs - PLUS the draft pick.

I know everyone is expecting a traditional #1 WR from the FA pool, but I'm thinking they might opt to go in the direction of finding Maye his Welker or Edelman for the future with a lower priced mid-range WR.

I think we've already got guys in the fold who can get deep and stretch the field nicely so not sure I see the need to invest close to $30 mil to replicate that with a high priced traditional #1 but we will see!

 

[BobDigital]

Not surprised after all the stories about him recently. And frankly while he was good, he was not worth the money they were going to pay him. He rarely had the #1 WR impact. Too often he just felt like another good option than a go too guy for me. Particularly outside of that first Bills game.

Also sounds like they are saving some of that bonus money somehow. Contract stuff i assume. So that is good. In any case what we learned in the super bowl is the offense badly needs to be upgraded. Maye is not Brady and can only elevate to a certain degree. The lack of talent on that side of the ball caught up with them. They need talent on that side. If they do absolutely nothing with the D, that is more or less fine. That was a championship caliber D. I would like to improve it, but if they don't improve the offense and get more balanced they are going nowhere.

While i may hate it, depending on price AJ Brown needs to be considered. He is a true long term #1. And it is HARD to win without that.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

You have to wonder whether they were feeling out backloading of his money and saying "nah." Even if not, same dynamic (leaving out off-field stuff of course...) He just had a good year vs. a lot of challenges, and you can see what he made of the opportunities he had. (a lot.) Restructuring can make things happen, but he can get paid more than we will pay him. It's a business. I do believe he wanted to be here if there was a way, but he looks a lot better to another team saying "look what he did with a QB taking snaps in the fetal position!"

Maybe there was no conversation, just "we have to move on from you, bye."

I'm back in "in [your name here] we trust" mode with Vrabes, as long as he keeps showing he's a winner. Loved reading a recent quote from him on the rookie side of the line... basically said they have to hit the weight room. not in a mean way, just the basics of falling off at the end of the season. It's simple stuff, but so far he doesn't seem to do dumb things like call for a rookie's head on a pike, or say "awwww he tried his best." I think we'll still beef up on the OL through FA, develop the youngsters, and draft along both sides of the LOS. My prediction: D DM M will have a bump in production against better opposition due to that extra half second in the pocket.

So Im totally good with the Diggs calll... and whoever we're looking at in FA, I am sure the Bouttes of the world are okay with losing him too... not to mention Kyle Williams

Still... a lot of sweet moments. Thank you, Steph Diggs! Also I totally hope you didn't do it! #NFLony

 

[NFL Mystique]

No way this is the WR group sans Diggs they go into 2026 with. They must have somebody in mind to be the #1 WR.

 

[PatsFan2]

This is easy. We need a young but experienced vet ready to blossom with the Pats in the Starting X role (WR1 designation is outdated)
Plan A - Pierce
Plan B - Doubs

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

 

[mgteich]

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.

???

If the patriots were willing to restructure and push money down the road, they could just have sent his agent a memo. No approproval is required.

 

[mgteich]

No way this is the WR group sans Diggs they go into 2026 with. They must have somebody in mind to be the #1 WR.

We will try to get a #1 as we did in 2024 and 2025. Who will ultimately sign is another matter entirely.

 

[PatsFan2]

DJ Moore is basically Boutte - just a bit bigger and more aggressive.
But at his age and with a lot of wear on those tires, I don't think I'd want to pay what'll be necessary to get him.

I'd really rather Pierce (or conciliation Doubs) - which is something we don't have right now.
And probably cost the same as DJ.

DJ Moore> Boutte nuff said!

 

[Dedhampatsfan]

Not surprised Diggs will be cut., Boutte will be just as go, injuries barred.

 

[Family]

Not outrageous when you consider $20 mil is about what we paid him last season - but a cap number that could be taken down with an extension had he been willing.

???

If the patriots were willing to restructure and push money down the road, they could just have sent his agent a memo. No approproval is required.

Right, but that would have essentially made it a two year deal because of the 2027 cap hit.

What they signed last year was essentially a one year deal.

 

[Triumph]

We completed a lot of them this year, and will improve the OL.

Maye needs a quick hitter WR who catches everything. Beating the pass rush.

Just the opposite of what you propose.

 

[Triumph]

???

If the patriots were willing to restructure and push money down the road, they could just have sent his agent a memo. No approproval is required.

But you told us that Diggs contract was reasonable and that there was no new money.

A good deal.

 

[dliverey44]

2 games into watching every Pierce pass play from last year (471 plays). Really like what I see so far. He's open and open deep a lot just nobody to get him the ball. Great hands. Way better than I expected. Seems like he was made for Drake Maye. Full write up when I'm more than 2 games in but starting to salivate at the idea...

I was firmly against signing Pierce when I thought we were keeping Diggs. Since Diggs was released, I have gone back and started watching some of his college tape and will watch his games with the Colts but I am leaning toward wanting them to pursue Alec.

He tracks the ball really well and uses his body well to block out defenders. Similar to Booty, but Pierce is faster and taller. I bring up Booty because the idea of him playing Z I think fit his skillset better.

I am looking forward to your write up @KCSVEN

 

[Ross12]

I was firmly against signing Pierce when I thought we were keeping Diggs. Since Diggs was released, I have gone back and started watching some of his college tape and will watch his games with the Colts but I am leaning toward wanting them to pursue Alec.

He tracks the ball really well and uses his body well to block out defenders. Similar to Booty, but Pierce is faster and taller. I bring up Booty because the idea of him playing Z I think fit his skillset better.

I am looking forward to your write up @KCSVEN

I think Boutte is a little mis-cast as a deep threat, he isn’t that fast really. He is more of a big body player who should hit the middle and short areas and then go deep every once in a while. A player like Pierce may help Boutte hit his stride, same with Williams who does have deep speed but is also a fairly well rounded player.