The Patriots were the first team to express interest in Diggs this free agency.
He came, he saw, he left without a deal.
Veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who the New England Patriots had in town for a free agency visit on Wednesday and Thursday, left Foxboro without a contract. The two sides “[wi]ll keep talking” after what was considered a positive meeting, as reported by Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.
According to a follow-up by Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, who also mentioned that “both sides intend to remain in contact,” the main intention behind the meeting was to get to know Diggs and get a feel for his medical status. The 31-year-old is five months removed from tearing his ACL.
Diggs is the latest veteran wide receiver the Patriots were involved with this offseason. They unsuccessfully pursued Chris Godwin, expressed interest in DK Metcalf and Cooper Kupp, and also were expected to go after Tee Higgins had he made it to the open market. All four will play elsewhere in 2025, while Diggs also remains unsigned for now.
A fifth-round draft pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2015, the Maryland product developed into one of the league’s better wide receivers during his five seasons in the NFC North. Despite his success, he was traded to the Buffalo Bills in 2020 where he became quarterback Josh Allen’s go-to guy and was voted to four straight Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams.
With one year remaining on his contract, the Bills decided to send Diggs to the Houston Texans last offseason. He went on to appear in eight games, catching 47 passes for 496 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns before suffering his season-ending knee injury in late October.
His injury as well as his age likely contributed to what has been a slow free agency so far for the former NFL receptions and receiving yards leader. The Patriots were his first visit since he entered the open market last week.