Patriots Face Decision on Stefon Diggs After Turbulent Season
The New England Patriots are reportedly weighing the possibility of parting ways with star wide receiver Stefon Diggs after only a single season with the franchise. This potential move comes amidst a complex backdrop of contract negotiations and significant off-field legal challenges for the player.
Contractual Stalemate and Financial Implications
According to a detailed report from MassLive, Diggs would need to agree to a substantially restructured contract if he wishes to remain with the Patriots beyond the upcoming season. His current deal, signed in March of last year, is a three-year agreement valued at $63.5 million. The existing contract carries a substantial salary cap hit of $26.5 million for the coming season.
The Patriots stand to achieve significant salary cap relief depending on their course of action. If the team opts to release Diggs outright, they would save approximately $16.8 million against the cap. Should they designate him as a post-June 1 cut, those savings could increase to as much as $20.8 million. However, the franchise would still be obligated to pay a guaranteed $6 million sum due to the player on March 13.
Team officials are reportedly "working toward a resolution" regarding Diggs' future, with expectations that the situation will be clarified within the coming weeks. Sources indicate that Diggs is likely to be "unwilling" to renegotiate his current lucrative contract terms, which could force the Patriots' hand toward a release. In anticipation of this potential outcome, the organization has already begun internal discussions about possible replacements to serve as quarterback Drake Maye's primary receiving target.
Mounting Legal Troubles and Personal Challenges
The contract dispute unfolds against a troubling series of legal allegations involving Diggs. Less than a month after the Patriots' Super Bowl appearance, Diggs pleaded not guilty to charges related to the alleged assault of his personal chef. The incident, which reportedly occurred in December, has resulted in felony charges of strangulation or suffocation alongside misdemeanor assault and battery counts.
Mitchell Schuster, a member of Diggs' legal defense team, stated confidently after the arraignment, "We're confident that after the facts and evidence are reviewed in this case, he will be completely exonerated." According to Dedham police reports, the alleged altercation stemmed from a financial disagreement and involved physical confrontation during the early months of Diggs' debut season with New England.
In a separate legal matter, Diggs has been named in an unrelated defamation lawsuit originating from a 2024 incident in Florida. The plaintiff, identified as a former business associate, claims that Diggs falsely accused him of stealing a Ferrari, allegations that allegedly led to a physical confrontation at a nightclub in 2025.
Personal Life Turmoil and Relationship Changes
The professional uncertainties coincide with considerable personal upheaval for the wide receiver. Around the time of the Super Bowl, Diggs' high-profile relationship with rapper Cardi B came to an end. The musical artist confirmed their separation during her Little Miss Drama Tour, following weeks of speculation.
Diggs' family circumstances have also undergone dramatic changes throughout the past year. In April, he welcomed a daughter named Charliee Harper with Aileen Lopera. This was followed by the birth of two additional children with other women. Lopera recently withdrew a paternity and child support lawsuit after DNA testing confirmed Diggs as the father, and the receiver has since acknowledged paternity.
Meanwhile, Cardi B gave birth to her first child with Diggs in November 2025, shortly after the couple had publicly confirmed their relationship. The rapper had previously filed for divorce from her former husband Offset in July 2024 and shares three children from that marriage.
On-Field Performance and Future Prospects
Despite the off-field distractions, Diggs delivered a solid performance during his inaugural season with the Patriots. He led the team with 85 receptions for 1,013 receiving yards and scored four touchdowns across 17 regular-season games. His contributions were instrumental in helping New England reach the Super Bowl less than a month before these contract and legal issues surfaced.
While the legal matters are not considered the primary factor in the Patriots' decision-making process regarding Diggs' future, team sources acknowledge they represent an additional consideration in evaluating the wide receiver's long-term fit with the organization. The coming weeks will prove critical in determining whether this partnership continues or ends after just one season marked by both on-field success and considerable off-field complexity.
