Will Patriots move on from Stefon Diggs? Maye says WR has a lot ‘left in the tank’

New England Patriots

“I know there’s some left, and I’m looking forward to getting a chance to hopefully throw him some more passes and watch [No.] 8 go.”

Stefon Diggs played a key role in New England’s run to Super Bowl LX. 

But, even with the veteran wide receiver becoming the first Patriots wideout since Julian Edelman (2019) to record more than 1,000 receiving yards in a single season, Diggs could be a potential cap casualty this offseason if New England wanted to further augment its roster.

While Diggs signed a three-year deal with New England in March 2025, his $20.6 million base salary in 2026 isn’t fully guaranteed. If New England cuts Diggs before June 1, they would save $16.8 million, per Over The Cap. 

If they designate Diggs as a post-June 1 release, they would save $20.8 million in cap space by spreading a $9.7 million deal cap hit across both 2026 and 2027. 

“[Expletive], unless they opt out of the contract,” Diggs said Sunday when asked if he expects to be back in Foxborough in 2026. “I anticipate being here. I hope so. Love my guys. Hell of a year playing with them. We built some real family-like bonds, so I hope so. I don’t control it.”

While Diggs thrived in his first season in Foxborough, he will turn 33 years old in November — and created a few distractions during the 2025 season with his legal issues. 

Diggs has a court date set for this Friday. The Pro Bowl wide receiver is facing charges of assault and strangulation over an alleged incident with a woman who worked as his personal chef. He has denied the allegations, with the Patriots voicing their support for him. 

Diggs also was sued in Florida last week by a man identifying himself as a past business affiliate. The man claims that Diggs damaged his reputation and hurt his business and that he was assaulted by two men associated with Diggs. 

As the Patriots look to build off of a breakthrough 2025, moving on from Diggs only becomes a tangible scenario for New England if they allocate that cap space elsewhere — or find a younger alternative to pair up with Maye moving forward.

Maye was candid Tuesday when asked about Diggs and what he should offer New England in 2026 and beyond. 

“I can’t say enough about what he’s done for us, what he’s done for this team and what he’s proved to himself,” Maye said. “I think I saw him say something about that, proving to himself the player he is and how he can still be a big-time player in this league, and he showcased that.

“He’s got a lot of juice left in the tank, and he told me the other day he’s got a chance to really work on his craft in the offseason.”

Diggs reeled in three catches on his three targets from Maye in Super Bowl LX, finishing with 37 yards in the 29-13 loss. 

“Man, I wish I would have given him more chances in the game,” Maye said of Diggs. “I know he probably thinks the same way, and I think he’s just been a great force this year.”

Maye believes that a full offseason should serve Diggs well after recovering from a torn ACL last spring and summer. 

“He really didn’t have a chance last offseason coming from an injury, so he’s got a chance to get back and working and just trying get whatever’s left in his body,” Maye said. “I know there’s some left, and I’m looking forward to getting a chance to hopefully throw him some more passes and watch [No.] 8 go.”

 

Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.