New England Patriots Release 4-Time Pro Bowl Wideout Stefon Diggs After One Season
Multiple reports have confirmed that the New England Patriots have informed superstar wide receiver Stefon Diggs that he will be released at the start of the new league year, citing a person with knowledge of the decision who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Though the NFL team hasn’t officially announced the news, the move seems to be a business decision driven by a massive salary cap spike for the Patriots and off-field complications for Diggs.
New England Patriots’ Stefon Diggs Leaves Team After One Season Amid Contract Situation and Legal Battle
Diggs posted a black-and-white photo on social media, thanking the Patriots for the season and saying: “We family forever.” The post followed a week of cryptic updates from the 4-time Pro Bowl receiver that had fans bracing for an unceremonious divorce.
He led the team with 85 receptions and 1,013 yards receiving with four touchdowns in his only season in New England, helping the Patriots reach Super Bowl LX, where they lost out to the Seattle Seahawks. Diggs had become the go-to option for Drake Maye, who finished runner-up to Mathew Stafford for the AP NFL MVP award. Last season marked the seventh time he completed 1000 yards, and it helped complete a career revival after a season-ending knee injury derailed his one-year stay with the Houston Texans in 2024.
While Diggs’ performance on the field was exemplary, his contract situation was likely a factor in the Patriots deciding to part ways, as he carried a $26.5 million salary cap in 2026 and was due to receive $6 million in guaranteed funds within the next few days if he remained on the team. He signed a three-year deal worth $69 million in March 2025 and was due to make $20.6 million this season.
According to sources, the Patriots attempted to negotiate a restructure that would have converted his base salary into incentives to create cap relief. However, Diggs declined this deal. The team’s General Manager, Eliot Wolf, then opted to cut ties with the player, clearing approximately $16.8 million in spending power ahead of free agency.
Additionally, the NFL star is currently facing felony charges for strangulation and misdemeanor assault and battery. The charges stem from a December 2025 incident involving his private chef, who alleges that Diggs assaulted and choked her during a payment dispute. Diggs, who pleaded not guilty, is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on April 1, 2026. The constant legal drama during his short tenure on the team is likely to have prompted the Patriots to release him early.
Stefon Diggs and Cardi B Announce Split, Couple Welcomed a Son Together in September
During the NFL season, Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B was Diggs’ biggest supporter. The couple who welcomed a son together in September 2025 reportedly ended their relationship following the Patriots’ Super Bowl LX loss.
Throughout the season, Cardi B appeared at multiple NFL games to support him, and fans were excited to see them together at the Super Bowl, where she performed as part of Bad Bunny’s halftime show. The high-profile breakup, marked by social media posts, unfollows, and onstage comments from the rapper, reportedly added to the mounting pressure surrounding Diggs during the tail end of the season. The 32-year-old Pro Bowl wideout now seeks his fifth team and fourth in four years.
