The New England Patriots weren't able to lay claim to the Vince Lombardi Trophy following Super Bowl 60, but still showcased a lot in 2025. New England remains a few pieces away, though, and will look to use this offseason to add talent to this roster.
The Patriots currently have $41 million available in cap space this offseason, per Over the Cap. They'll have plenty of money to make some additions, but that doesn't mean they won't look to create more cap room. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs was asked about his future in New England after the Super Bowl. While he expressed that he would love to be back, it isn't up to him.
Diggs said, "[Expletive], unless they opt out of the contract. 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 conventional wisdom would lead fans to anticipate Diggs' return to New England in 2026, there's no guarantee it happens, given the large cap hit he holds for next season.
Stefon Diggs May Emerge as Potential Cut Candidate for Patriots
Diggs signed a three-year, $69 million deal in free agency last spring, giving the Patriots a No. 1 WR. There were questions about his ability, given he was coming off a torn ACL, but Diggs answered the call for this team, giving New England their first 1,000-yard receiver since Julian Edelman in 2019. In total, Diggs reeled in 85 catches for 1,013 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
He was a security blanket for Drake Maye, able to line up all across the formation for this team. Despite the success, Diggs carries the second-largest cap hit in 2026 at $26.5 million. His base salary is $20.6 million, but it isn't fully guaranteed. If the team wanted to release him between March 13 and June 1, they would save $12.5 million and get a $14 million dead cap hit. Meanwhile, if they wait until after June 1, New England would open $15.1 million in savings, per Spotrac.
Diggs finished this postseason run with 14 catches (20 targets) for 110 receiving yards and one score. The offense as a whole struggled, but with Diggs being 32 years old, New England may look to save the extra funds to make additions elsewhere on the team.
There's no telling what direction New England will go, but there are still some positives to keeping Diggs around. He quickly became a vocal leader for this team, consistently helping set the tone for his teammates with pregame speeches.
The Maryland product has built a rapport with Maye, and keeping him around would continue to allow that relationship to flourish. Yet, with a hefty cap hit as Diggs holds for 2026, there will certainly be conversations about his future with the team.