New England Patriots are preparing to part ways with veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs after just one season with the team.
According to NFL, Tom Pelissero, the franchise has already informed the four-time Pro Bowl receiver that he will be released when the new NFL league year begins on March 11.
The move appears to be driven primarily by financial considerations.
Diggs was due an additional Sh774 million ($6 million) that would become fully guaranteed later next week.
Rather than absorb that commitment, New England chose to act early and notify the receiver, allowing him time to explore opportunities with other teams before the market fully opens.
Following the news, Diggs shared a brief message reflecting on his time with the Patriots. Posting two photos on social media, he wrote: “THANK YOU for a hell of a year … Until we meet again.”
According to yahoo, Diggs initially joined New England last offseason, the signing raised eyebrows.
The Patriots were in the middle of an aggressive spending period, and his three-year contract worth ksh 8.19 billion ($63.5 million) seemed ambitious at the time.
However, the structure of the deal suggested it might ultimately be a short-term arrangement. Much of the salary cap impact was pushed into the second and third years of the contract, giving the team flexibility.
This approach allowed the Patriots to bring in Diggs for the immediate term while keeping the option open to retain him longer if his performance justified the cost.
On the field, Diggs largely delivered. In what became his only season in New England, the veteran receiver recorded 85 receptions for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns across all 17 regular-season games. Beyond his statistics, he also served as an experienced presence in a relatively young locker room, providing leadership and energy throughout the campaign.
Although his production in Super Bowl LX was limited to three receptions for 37 yards, his contributions earlier in the season helped the Patriots reach the championship stage.
Off the field, Diggs is alleged to have broken up with rapper Cardi B with whom they welcomed a baby boy in November.