Stefon Diggs has spoken publicly for the first time since the New England Patriots announced he would be released from his three-year contract. In an Instagram Story post, the wide receiver shared a picture of himself in uniform on the field with the caption: “THANK YOU for a hell of a year. We family forever @patriots … Until we meet again.”
The 32-year-old signed a $63.5 million deal with the Patriots last year and was a key figure in their run to the Super Bowl, where they ultimately lost to the Seattle Seahawks. He finished the season with 1,013 receiving yards on 85 receptions and four touchdowns, the most on the team.
According to the NFL, the decision to release Diggs was “financially motivated”, but his short tenure was also marked by off-field controversy. In December he was charged with assault for allegedly choking his former private chef; he pleaded not guilty last month.
Diggs has also been the subject of a reported split from rapper Cardi B, days before the Super Bowl. A source told Us Weekly: “They are always so up and down. This isn’t the first time they have broken up.” The source added that Cardi B is “single and putting herself out there again” and that “he betrayed her so many times.”
In a December X post, Cardi B addressed criticism from followers over reports she and Diggs spent Christmas Day apart, writing: “You need to calm down … I can’t go back in time, I already had a baby. You want me to put my baby back? What do you want me to do, you want me to leave my man?”
When the assault charge was first reported, a Patriots spokesperson said on Diggs’s behalf: “Stefon has informed the organization that he categorically denies the allegations. We support Stefon. We will continue to gather information and will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities and the NFL as necessary.” The team has not commented further.
