Full Breakdown
Stefon Diggs Enters Free Agency After Acquittal and Patriots Release
5/9/2026, 1:14:26 AM
Legal Acquittal Clears Criminal Charges
A jury found Stefon Diggs not guilty of felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault and battery on Tuesday. The verdict removes the immediate legal barrier to his employment, but the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy investigation remains open.
2025 Performance Highlights
Despite returning from an ACL reconstruction, Diggs logged 52 % of offensive snaps in the 2025 season, recording 85 receptions for 1,045 yards. The production marked his seventh 1,000-yard campaign and earned him a fourth Pro Bowl selection, a first-team All-Pro honor in 2020 and a second-team All-Pro nod in 2022.
Patriots Release and Salary Context
The New England Patriots released Diggs in the offseason, citing a projected cap hit exceeding $26 million for the 2026 season. Diggs, who will turn 33 soon, left the Patriots as their leading receiver from the previous year. New England has added Romeo Doubs and is expected to acquire A.J. Brown after June 1, creating a potential three-receiver core that could accommodate Diggs if a short-term contract is reached.
Market Interest and Potential Fit
Following the acquittal, Diggs posted his season metrics on Instagram, prompting Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez to reply, “To the Pats.” The comment underscores lingering interest from New England, yet Diggs may face a reduced role compared with his 2025 usage. Other franchises could view his proven production as valuable, but his market value may be constrained by the $26 million cap figure and the possibility of a short-term, lower-value deal.
NFL Personal Conduct Investigation
The league has publicly confirmed that its investigation under the Personal Conduct Policy remains active. Should the NFL elect to interview Diggs, league policy obligates his participation, a factor that could affect timing and availability for team negotiations.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts note that Diggs’s salary expectations could exceed what teams are willing to allocate, especially given his age and the Patriots’ recent receiver acquisitions. Critics also point to the potential for a diminished snap count if he returns to New England, raising questions about his fit in a revamped receiving corps.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on Diggs’s willingness to rejoin the Patriots. While Gonzalez’s comment suggests openness, other reports indicate Diggs may prioritize a larger role elsewhere. No concrete offers have been disclosed, and the timeline for the NFL’s conduct interview remains unspecified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This is not an opinion-based sport, so here are the numbers. I played 52% of the snaps and finished with 85 catches for 1,045 yards coming off an ACL. Where we going?” — Stefon Diggs, Instagram post
- “To the Pats,” — Christian Gonzalez, Patriots cornerback (Instagram reply)
- “Diggs had a legal proceeding looming, but he was found not guilty of felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault and battery on Tuesday.” — Court verdict (source)
- “The NFL has said, following the acquittal, that its investigation of Diggs under the Personal Conduct Policy remains open.” — NFL statement (source)
What’s Next
Diggs remains unsigned as the 2026 free-agency period approaches. Pending interviews with the NFL, he may field offers from multiple teams, with the Patriots positioned as a potential destination if both parties accept a reduced role and salary. The outcome of the league’s conduct review will likely influence the final timing of any contract.
