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By Justin Grasso
Contributing Sports Writer
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The New England Patriots had a shockingly impressive run to the Super Bowl in 2025, but it ended in heartbreak. The loss might’ve cut a little deeper than most for the veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who has been in the league since 2015.
Being on his fourth team, Diggs finally hit a breakthrough with the Patriots after getting close to the Super Bowl stage in several seasons, but coming up short with other teams. While the Patriots aren’t bringing the Lombardi back to New England, Diggs plans to return.
Over the 2025 offseason, the star wide receiver inked a three-year deal with the Patriots. He seems committed to the team for that duration, making an immediate statement on his contract on Sunday night, following the loss.
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“Unless they opt out of the contract, I anticipate being here,” Diggs told reporters, according to MassLive. “So, I hope so. Love my guys. I had a hell of a year playing with them. Built some real family-like bond, so I hope so, I don’t control it though.”
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The ball is in the Patriots’ court. According to Spotrac, there is an out for the Patriots before the 2026 season. If the team were to cut ties with Diggs before June 1, they could save a significant amount in cap space. If the Patriots are committed to the original contract, Diggs will take up $28 million in ap for the year, earning over $20 million in salary for next season.
In 2025, Diggs bounced back after playing in just eight games for the Houston Texans last season.
With the Patriots, Diggs caught 85 passes for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns. It was the seventh 1,000-yard season of his career.
Diggs was by far the top receiver in New England in 2025. While the Patriots’ receiving core was often viewed as a unit that needed some notable upgrades before the 2025 trade deadline, the Patriots were confident in their offseason signing and he delivered.
A public verbal commitment from the 32-year-old tells the Patriots that they don’t have to do much to retain their guy. While the Patriots will likely scan the trade and free agency market for other options to pair alongside Diggs—or potentially replace him—they know that the veteran star wants to get back to New England to try and help them represent the AFC on the Super Bowl stage once again.
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