Patriots Player Departure Stefon Diggs Cut.

[Huckleberry1]

I was really impressed with the way Diggs handled himself last season, as well as with his departure. I think a return is possible if he sees that he can't get big money elsewhere.

 

[p8ryts]

Not too surprising. The cap hit did not match the production. I would not be too surprised if they talk about a return on a smaller deal later if he doesn't find a robust market.

Let's go get Pierce or AJ Brown.

Prefer Pierce. I never saw Brown do much in games. Maybe that was the QB or maybe I didn't see him enough.

 

[Borg140]

Interesting. Beyond Pierce there’s not much in free agency. So I think they’re probably looking at all the trade options, too.

I believe the same. I’d look for a big trade next week.

It’s too bad they couldn’t hang on to him but the move makes a lot of sense.

 

[imahobgoblin]

This makes me sad, but I don't fault the Pats. I just really liked how he bought in and adopted the Patriot way. I will miss his intensity. But now I am excited to meet our new #1 whoever he may be.

 

[Ross12]

Interesting. Beyond Pierce there’s not much in free agency. So I think they’re probably looking at all the trade options, too.

Not sure what trade options are realistic, besides Brown. Many people mention Justin Jefferson but that seems a bit crazy to me. Brian Thomas Jr perhaps? Drake London?

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Doesnt shock me but i still wasn’t ready to read this thank you Stephon! Hoping they put good use to this cash, pierce or aj brown would be great.

 

[Lagaffe_07]

Prefer Pierce. I never saw Brown do much in games. Maybe that was the QB or maybe I didn't see him enough.

Give me AJ Brown over Pierce any day of the week. AJ Brown proved that he can produce even when he is the main focus of the defense. Pierce wasn’t the 1st option in Indy. I am a little skeptical of him being able to reproduce those number when he will be the main guy here.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

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.

 

[ScottishPatriots]

Not sure what trade options are realistic, besides Brown. Many people mention Justin Jefferson but that seems a bit crazy to me. Brian Thomas Jr perhaps? Drake London?

There's always a surprise wouldn't be shocked if the Cardinals gave up on Marvin Harrison Jr while he still had value, not sure if that would get anyone excited though think you'd need better.

Maybe someone thinks a real QB could revive him.

 

[WhatJustHappened]

I'm usually wrong, but I can't help thinking this is at least partially the off the field stuff.
He played pretty well considering the timeline from his injury, and I would assume he'd be healthier this coming year, unless he got hurt near the end of the year.

O well, Thanks Stef.

 

[Rob0729]

You gotta think the Pats already have a deal in place for someone. Or at least close. If it is Pierce, they gotta at least pretend they aren't tampering and wait until Tuesday to let on. If it is a trade, we will likely see it soon.

I always thought cutting Diggs was a likely scenario no matter what the Pats did after his post season, but this soon could mean they already have a replacement.

And don't discount the Pats getting multiple WRs this offseason.

 

[Urgent]

I know, salary cap.
But still surprising. He was a real leader - he was the guy, not the QB, going up and down the sideline. He was the guy doing jumping jacks getting the fans standing up. At least during the regular season, when you needed a third down completion, he was the guy.

Assume the folks guessing that they wanted to restructure were right. Probably a business decision, looking at what they wanted to do in free agency and the available pot of money.
Have to also assume there are some tough conversations going on with Mike Onwenu.

 

[Rob0729]

Give me AJ Brown over Pierce any day of the week. AJ Brown proved that he can produce even when he is the main focus of the defense. Pierce wasn’t the 1st option in Indy. I am a little skeptical of him being able to reproduce those number when he will be the main guy here.

Why not both? I know it would be out of character for the Patriots to do something like that, but they certainly could afford both. Of course, the biggest stumbling block is Howie Roseman and his compensation expectations. If the Pats wanted both Pierce and Brown, I certainly would throw Boutte in any trade to the Eagles.

 

[manxman2601]

Diggs had 85 catches last year, Pierce has never had more than 47. My concern is where is the volume coming from? I can see the argument for Pierce in that he suits Maye's game but we still need someone to give Maye the easy completion.

 

[Rob0729]

 

[DaBruinz]

Diggs convinced me that he wasn't a mistake last year. His leadership in that room was big. He's going to be missed.

Pierce is a 3rd/4th WR who catches 54% of the passes thrown to him. He's Donald Hayes 2.0.

Brown is a Diva who has shown he can't handle not being "THE" guy.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

You gotta think the Pats already have a deal in place for someone. Or at least close. If it is Pierce, they gotta at least pretend they aren't tampering and wait until Tuesday to let on. If it is a trade, we will likely see it soon.

I always thought cutting Diggs was a likely scenario no matter what the Pats did after his post season, but this soon could mean they already have a replacement.

And don't discount the Pats getting multiple WRs this offseason.

Absolutely, they won’t let go of their 23 yo franchise qb most productive wr without something considerably big in the works. Im seeing at least one big move at WR and a big signing on the interior ol

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Schultz is plugged into agents, so this is significant... If they want Pierce, I think they can lock him down. They have the cap, and Diggs' release certainly helps with that. I think they need a guy like Pierce a lot more than a guy like Diggs.

Schultz said the Patriots are interested in the FA market and trades. Why is this being plugged in? I could have posted that the Patriots are looking at the FA and trades - does that mean I am plugged in? Seems like a meaningless "all balls are on the table and I know nothing specific" tweet to me.

 

[imahobgoblin]

Not sure what trade options are realistic, besides Brown. Many people mention Justin Jefferson but that seems a bit crazy to me. Brian Thomas Jr perhaps? Drake London?

What about Jordan Addison? Drake London has to have his contract and may stick it to ATL. I don't blame him. But his compensation would be huge.

 

[Rob0729]

Diggs convinced me that he wasn't a mistake last year. His leadership in that room was big. He's going to be missed.

Pierce is a 3rd/4th WR who catches 54% of the passes thrown to him. He's Donald Hayes 2.0.

Brown is a Diva who has shown he can't handle not being "THE" guy.

In fairness to Pierce, his QBs throwing to him so far in his career were Anthony Richardson, Joe Flacco, Gardner Minshew, Philip Rivers, Riley Leonard, and Daniel Jones.

Also, I think Brown will be a good soldier with the Pats. He loves Vrabel. He is a huge Pats fan. Maye will give him highlight plays down the field.

And Diggs disappeared in the playoffs and that was his reputation his entire career.