The New England Patriots released Stefon Diggs after just one season with the team, but as long as the money makes sense, they should look into bringing him back this offseason (regardless of whether they end up getting A.J. Brown or not).
Getting A.J. Brown shouldn't stop the Patriots from signing Stefon Diggs
There are two scenarios the Patriots are going to face: either they have Brown on the roster, or they don't.
In either case, re-signing Diggs makes sense.
Scenario No. 1: New England has a new shiny toy for Drake Maye in Brown (and Romeo Doubs, too), but its receiving corps is still a little questionable.
The jury is still out on Kyle Williams, who showed some flashes in his rookie season (i.e., his 72-yard touchdown reception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 10), DeMario Douglas is entering the final year of his rookie deal and might be gone soon, and Kayshon Boutte is likely to be traded if the Patriots get Brown. Mack Hollins is good, but he's about to be 33 years old and is more of a complementary piece at this point.
Signing Diggs, who built great chemistry with Maye last season, would bolster the Patriots' offense and give the young quarterback another year with him. (Plus, the Maryland native would be fantastic as a No. 2 or even No. 3 receiver at this point in his career, given that he struggles a bit against the top cornerbacks in the league, and acquiring Brown, who is more of a vertical threat anyway, would open this role up for him.)
And if Scenario No. 2 happens (Brown either stays with the Philadelphia Eagles or goes elsewhere because the Patriots can't justify trading a first-round pick for him), then the Patriots' need to improve their receiving corps grows, and signing Diggs (who performed well during his first season with the team) would make sense.
A Stefon Diggs reunion is a low-risk, high-reward move for New England
There's a lot to like about Diggs in New England. He is still an incredible route runner and has reliable hands. If he's open, Maye is going to find him... and it's going to be magical every single time.
The one-time All-Pro receiver isn't what he was even just a few years ago, but he still has a lot left in the tank (85 receptions, 1,013 yards, four touchdowns last season). It seemed like he enjoyed his time in New England, and it seemed like New England liked having him around. And if that's the case, then maybe a reunion makes sense after all.
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