Diggs signed a three-year free agency deal with the Patriots.
Even though he was on the wrong side of 30 and coming off a season-ending ACL tear, Stefon Diggs successfully secured a sizable contract in free agency. The veteran put his signature under a three-year, $63.5 million pact with the New England Patriots that made him the 20th highest paid wide receiver in the NFL on an annual value basis.
However, there is a catch. A closer look at the deal reveals that is effectively three one-year deals put together, which allows the Patriots a relatively easy out after every season.
Given that structure, it is fair to label the pact a “prove it” deal for Diggs. The $5.5 million in contract incentives it includes are further proof of that.
WR Stefon Diggs: Contract incentives
2025: Up to $4.5M
$500,000: 70 receptions
$500,000: 80 receptions
$500,000: 90 receptions
$500,000: 100 receptions
$500,000: 1,000 receiving yards
$500,000: 1,100 receiving yards
$500,000: 1,200 receiving yards
$500,000: 1,300 receiving yards
$500,000: Pro Bowl (original ballot)
2026: $500k
$500,000: Pro Bowl (original ballot)
2027: $500k
$500,000: Pro Bowl (original ballot)
Adding to the year-by-year structure of the deal is the setup of Diggs’ contract incentives, all of them considered not likely to be earned for salary cap purposes. Whereas he is in position to add an extra $4.5 million to the $2.9 million salary and $4 million signing bonus proration he is getting in 2025, his incentives are totaling just $500,000 in both 2026 and 2027.
The message is clear: Diggs need to show that he has fully overcome his torn ACL and is close to his pre-injury levels in order to earn the maximum extent of his contract value in 2025. Based on his career history, it does seem possible.
Looking at this last full season, he would have netted an extra $3.5 million: he caught 107 passes for 1,183 yards during the 2023 season with the Buffalo Bills and was voted to the Pro Bowl. But, of course, a lot can change in two NFL seasons.
Last year, after he was traded to the Houston Texans, he was limited him to just 47 receptions for 496 yards. If not for his knee injury, however, he might have had his fifth straight 100-catch, 1,000-yard campaign: Diggs was on track for 100 catches and 1,054 yards (as well as 6 touchdowns) by the time he went down.
As a result of that injury, he now is in a situation where he needs to bet on himself. If successful, though, he stands to earn quite a bit in terms of short-term cash intake and longer-term stability.