Reunion between Patriots, Stefon Diggs reportedly unlikely despite interest

Despite the seemingly increased interest on Stefon Diggs’ social media page with him rejoining the Patriots for this upcoming season, a reunion between the two sides is still seen as unlikely in league circles.

Albert Breer provided an update on Diggs, noting that while the 32-year-old has a real interest in re-signing in New England, and the team loves him, the impending AJ Brown trade is an impediment to making that reunion happen.

“I think the AJ Brown trade will happen. I also don’t think, for a number of reasons, you’ll see Diggs and AJ Brown together in New England.” Breer wrote in his mailbag column. “Now, I think the Patriots like Diggs, and Diggs would love to come back. But any realistic talk of him coming back, to me, hinges on whether or not a Brown trade goes through. Assuming Brown becomes a Patriot, I think Diggs would probably be somewhere in the one-year, $10 million range.”

The Patriots will receive the majority of Brown’s salary when they trade him. This was a major reason why trade talks were postponed until June 1. Therefore, New England will be on the books for a contract AAV of $32 million, in addition to the $68 million it is scheduled to pay to newly acquired receiver Romeo Dobbs over the next four years.

Briere doesn’t seem to see a world where the Patriots allocate another chunk of cap space to Diggs to make him the team’s third receiver. It’s also not certain that Diggs will embrace a third wide receiver role, considering he’s coming off a 1,000-yard receiving season as Foxborough’s top receiver.

However, the idea of ​​having Brown, Diggs, Doubs, Hunter Henry, Rhamondre Stephenson and TreVeyon Henderson all as weapons for Drake Maye would certainly be a dream scenario after the way last season ended. Down the stretch, it became clear that New England was superior in terms of offensive weapons, resorting to winning close, low-scoring games in the playoffs before putting up very little offense in its Super Bowl loss to Seattle.

If the Patriots make a bold move and re-sign Diggs, their offense will be one of the best in the league on paper. But is it realistic to rely on that step? Probably not, at least according to Breyer.

Either way, New England has made offensive improvements that will make 2026 exciting, especially if and when a Brown trade finally happens.