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Stefon Diggs is on the move once again, parting ways with the New England Patriots after a single season. The decision comes as a result of the team’s financial strategy, despite Diggs leading the team in receptions.
Published on March 5, 2026.
According to ESPN, the decision to part ways with Diggs was not due to his on-field abilities but rather financial considerations. His salary cap was projected to escalate dramatically from $10.5 million to $26.5 million, with an additional $6 million guaranteed. The Patriots have opted to release him before the 2026 season kicks off, prioritizing cost reduction over retaining the star player.
How many teams did Stefon Diggs play for before the Patriots?
The Patriots will release Diggs at the start of the 2026 season after just one year with the team. The wide receiver’s performance on the field was not the issue; he had 85 receptions for 1,013 yards this past season. The team is instead taking cost-saving measures. Per ESPN, Diggs’ salary cap was set to rise from $10.5 million to $26.5 million. As a result, he would have added a guaranteed $6 million to his contract.
“THANK YOU for a hell of a year,” he wrote on Instagram. “We family forever.”
The Patriots are Diggs’ fourth professional team. He first played for the Minnesota Vikings for five seasons. He then moved to the Buffalo Bills for four seasons and the Houston Texans for one season. At this point, it is not clear where Diggs will go next.
He addressed rumors about why he was leaving teams
During his season with the Texans, Diggs said he wanted to get the ball as often as possible. He found the adage “there’s no I in team” ridiculous.
“I don’t know one star in any sport that doesn’t want the ball,” he told GQ. “If you ain’t getting the ball, and it’s not a problem, you ain’t no competitor.”
Still, this attitude has led some to wonder if Diggs’ personality has something to do with why he has been traded so many times. He is unquestionably talented, but he has moved around a great deal. He denied this wholeheartedly.
“None of those teams wanted to get rid of me,” he said. “Things had to shake because I kind of wanted them to shake.”
Stefon Diggs was in the news often during his season with the Patriots
Diggs received a significant amount of media attention during his season with the Patriots. Much of this had to do with his relationship with Cardi B.
Diggs and Cardi were first linked in late 2024, amid her contentious divorce from rapper Offset. They welcomed a child in 2025. Many of her fans criticized the relationship because Diggs fathered another child just months before.
Cardi supported Diggs all the way through the AFC Championship game. Just ahead of the Super Bowl, though, they ended things.
“Cardi is single and putting herself out there again. She feels free,” a source told Us Weekly. “He betrayed her so many times. Her friends have been trying to show her that he is not right for her and that she deserved better.”
Diggs also made headlines when his former chef accused him of assaulting her. She alleged that he tried to choke her during a pay dispute. Diggs was charged with felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault and battery. He has a pretrial hearing scheduled for April 1.