Patriots to release WR Stefon Diggs

The New England Patriots and their leading pass catcher will go their separate ways in 2026. The team has informed wide receiver Stefon Diggs that it is planning to release him after the start of next week’s free agency, as first reported by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

Diggs himself appears to have confirmed the upcoming move on social media on Wednesday.

A fifth-round draft pick by the Minnesota Vikings, who also spent time with the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans in his career, Diggs originally arrived in New England last offseason. Signing a three-year, $63.5 million free agency deal, he became a core member of their offense and ended up playing in all 17 regular season games as well as the Patriots’ four playoff contests.

Along the way, he developed a productive relationship with quarterback Drake Maye. The two connected a combined 99 times for 1,123 yards and four touchdowns. Diggs ranked first on the team in both catches and receiving yards in 2025.

Despite his production, the structure of his contract gave the team an out after each season. The fact that he was set to count $26.5 million against the Patriots’ salary cap in 2026 made the move a possibility from the get-to. Now, it has turned into a reality for the 32-year-old and the team.

Diggs becomes the second veteran to be released by the Patriots this offseason. The team previously also parted ways with running back Antonio Gibson.

NFL free agency will officially start on 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Mar. 11. Two days prior, the so-called legal tampering period will begin.