Pro Football Rumors
At this time a year ago, four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs was on the comeback trail from the October 2024 ACL tear he suffered as a member of the Texans. Despite the injury, the Patriots were confident enough in Diggs’ recovery to give him a three-year deal with $26MM in guaranteed money in free agency. The gamble paid off for New England. Not only did Diggs play in all of the Patriots’ games during a shocking AFC title-winning season, but he was among the NFL’s most productive receivers. He finished top 16 in the league in first downs (51; tied for 10th), catches (85; 12th) and yards (1,013; 16th). It was the sixth 1,000-yard season for the 11-year veteran, who scored four touchdowns and registered a meager 2.9% drop rate.
Although the Diggs signing was a plus for the Patriots in 2025, they moved on from him a few weeks after a Super Bowl LX loss to the Seahawks. Diggs’ release in March saved the Pats $16.8MM in cap space and paved the way for two expensive new starter acquisitions in A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs.
As he gears up for his age-32 season, Diggs remains without a team three months after the Patriots cut ties. When New England said goodbye to Diggs, he was facing a potential suspension as a result of an alleged incident with his former personal chef last December. However, after a Boston jury found Diggs not guilty on assault and strangulation charges, the league decided it will not issue him any discipline.
Now that Diggs is in the clear, it should be a matter of time before he lands his next contract. There is a strong argument that he is the best receiver remaining in a free agent class that also includes Keenan Allen, Deebo Samuel and a 32-year-old version of Tyreek Hill coming off a severe knee injury. Going in alphabetical order, here are some potential fits for Diggs…
Bears
Chicago is probably content with the young duo of Rome Odunze and Luther Burden as its starters, making a Diggs pickup a long shot. But the team’s receiving corps inspires little confidence after Odunze, who trudged through a disappointing, injury-limited 2025, and the ascending Burden. The Bears’ biggest offseason move at the position has been adding journeyman Kalif Raymond on a one-year, $5.1MM deal in free agency. Raymond had his most productive seasons in Detroit from 2021-23 under Ben Johnson, then a passing game/offensive coordinator and now Chicago’s head coach. He averaged 43 receptions and 560 yards per year during that span, but the 5-foot-8, 180-pounder is now fresh off a two-year stretch in which he totaled 41 catches and 504 yards. Once you get past Raymond, there is nothing resembling a proven threat in a group of receivers that includes Scotty Miller, Kaden Davis, Jahdae Walker, JP Richardson, Omari Kelly, Kyren Hudson and Maurice Alexander.
Chiefs
Unlike Chicago, Kansas City has come up as a rumored suitor for Diggs this...
