Story perspectives

Patriots Release Diggs, Free $26.5M; Receiver Says He’s Still Elite

7/13/2026

Summary

Diggs Released

Stefon Diggs was released by the Patriots in March, freeing $26.5 million in cap space.
In 2025 he posted 85 catches for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns, plus 14 catches for 110 yards and a postseason touchdown.
The NFL ended its May review, finding insufficient evidence of a personal-conduct violation after Diggs was acquitted.
Diggs said in a YouTube video he can compete with receivers and that no team's No. 2 target is better.

Summary

Diggs Market

Analysts say Diggs must take a salary below $21.2 million average of his Patriots deal to become a No. 2 receiver.
Over two-thirds of NFL teams hold at least $10 million in cap space, widening Diggs’ market.
The Washington Commanders, with the league’s third-most cap space, could pair Diggs with Terry McLaurin.
Spotrac lists Diggs as the 22nd-highest-paid wide receiver (WR) by average annual value in 2025, showing a gap to a secondary-receiver deal.

History

Historical Context

In 1994 the NFL imposed its first hard salary cap, set at $34.6 million after TV deals raised the expected $32 million figure. The cap forced the New England Patriots to cut veteran receiver Troy Brown, saving $5.5 million and reshaping the roster. The same financial pressure reappeared in 2025 when the Patriots released star Stefon Diggs, freeing $26.5 million while cap-rich teams like Washington assess his market value.

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Diggs Released

Stefon Diggs was released by the Patriots in March, freeing $26.5 million in cap space.
In 2025 he posted 85 catches for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns, plus 14 catches for 110 yards and a postseason touchdown.
The NFL ended its May review, finding insufficient evidence of a personal-conduct violation after Diggs was acquitted.
Diggs said in a YouTube video he can compete with receivers and that no team's No. 2 target is better.

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