So it seems like a Stefon Diggs-New England Patriots reunion isn't happening after all. At least not yet.
During a press conference on Wednesday, head coach Mike Vrabel made it clear that the Patriots aren't exploring the possibility of re-signing the Maryland native, though he didn't close the door on it for good.
“I think we [are] probably at the number that we would need right now,” Vrabel said. “I wouldn’t say anything is off the table. We would want to add anybody that could help us. I’m not going to give a percentage on it, but I think we’re happy with where we’re at right now with the numbers and the people in the receivers’ room.
“I appreciate Stefon as a person and as a player and what he did for us last year. I’ll value that. Helped us win football games. Helped us get to where we got. But right now, I don’t think that’s something that I think we’re exploring. But I would never say no.”
Patriots not re-signing Stefon Diggs may be good for Kayshon Boutte
There's a fair debate to be had about whether the Patriots should re-sign Diggs even after releasing him a few months ago. He stepped up in a major way in his first season with the team (85 receptions on 102 targets, 1,013 yards, four touchdowns - provided a veteran presence and played a big role in Drake Maye's second-year development), and it's clear that he still has a lot in the tank.
But on the flip side, he's not as much of a necessity as he was last year. New England now has a legitimate receiving room after the acquisitions of A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs (who will essentially be Diggs' replacement due to his productivity in the middle of the field). And if money is still an issue (this was likely the main reason they released him in the first place), then it really wouldn't make much sense to bring him back.
What's telling to me, though, is that Vrabel outright said the Patriots are happy with their receivers and aren't looking to add to it, despite the uncertainty of Kayshon Boutte's future with the team.
The LSU product is entering the final year of his rookie contract and has been in trade rumors already (although this has been cleared up by the man himself). But if the Patriots truly are content with their decision to move on from Diggs and aren't looking to bring him back, then that's a good indication that they still have long-term plans for Boutte.
Sure, Diggs and Boutte aren't necessarily the same type of receiver (Diggs is more of an intermediate, elite route runner -- Boutte is more of a deep threat), but if the team was planning on moving on from the Louisiana native, it would be wise to bring in a familiar face that they know can contribute at a high level.
Could this mean a new contract for him is on the horizon? Only time will tell. But the fact that Diggs, who was fantastic for them last season, is still on the market, and they're just not interested, speaks volumes.
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