Stefon Diggs posted his case for joining an NFL team after being released by the Patriots, but a longtime reporter doesn’t expect a reunion.

A fresh call for football employment from Stefon Diggs has fans wondering about a possible return to New England, but one longtime Patriots voice says he doesn’t see it happening.

Days after Diggs was found not guilty of assaulting and strangling his former live-in chef in a pay dispute. the former Patriots wide receiver used Instagram to pitch his offseason availability to any teams that might be listening.. In the post. Diggs pointed to his statistical production in New England. describing how he played a majority of the snaps and finished the 2025 season with more than 1. 000 receiving yards. citing a recent ACL as part of the context for his return.

The message also prompted replies from former Patriots teammates. Christian Gonzalez, for example, responded “To the pats” when Diggs floated the idea of being available, adding to the buzz that followed the post.

Still, longtime Patriots reporter Phil Perry said he was surprised Diggs hasn’t drawn more interest so far this offseason.. On the “Patriots Talk” podcast. Perry characterized Diggs’ social-media post as something closer to an invitation—essentially. “anyone want me?”—and said that tone makes the lack of reported suitors stand out.

While the Patriots did move on from Diggs, the decision is part of a larger roster and salary-cap equation.. New England released him in March to create additional cap space for the future. and Diggs’ status as an unsigned free agent at this point in the offseason is now notable within the timeline of the NFL’s personnel cycle.

Perry said there’s a set of reasons the Patriots may have chosen not to keep Diggs on his prior terms. including guaranteed money that would have come due if they hadn’t released him.. But he also acknowledged there are legitimate football reasons a reunion could appeal to the team—especially the chemistry Diggs built with Drake Maye during their time together and the role Diggs played as a veteran presence in the Patriots locker room.

Even so. Perry pushed back on the idea that a Diggs return is likely. particularly given what New England is believed to be targeting in the receiver room.. He referenced reports linking the Patriots to a possible blockbuster trade involving A.J.. Brown in early June. saying that if Brown is expected to be in the mix. he doesn’t see Diggs coming back.

Perry’s reasoning also tied to how Diggs might be used. even if he were retained on a less expensive deal.. With New England adding Romeo Doubs on a four-year contract in March. he suggested Diggs could still fit into Josh McDaniels’ system—depending on how often the team would ask him to operate in different ways. including more of a short-yardage role rather than being treated as the undisputed top option.

That said, Perry argued Diggs’ situation appears to have reached its practical endpoint with New England.. He suggested the Patriots may have already gotten what they needed from Diggs as a one-year stabilizing piece during a period when the organization leaned heavily on veteran leadership to help engineer a strong turnaround in 2025.

In Perry’s view, the Patriots also weighed age and the disruptions that surfaced around Diggs during that season.. He pointed to a chain of distractions that included an incident involving a “pink. unidentified substance” on a boat while Diggs was away from the team. and he linked that broader turbulence to the end of the story arriving with the court case.

Ultimately. Perry said the decision to part ways was less about any single factor and more about the combination of money owed. Diggs’ age. and a desire to improve the position group.. He emphasized that New England appears to believe it has made that upgrade already with the addition of Doubs—and. before considering any future additions like Brown. he believes the Patriots think they’re in a better place at receiver.

With Diggs now publicly signaling availability and the Patriots seemingly focused on other receiver moves, the question is whether the market changes fast enough to revive the reunion conversation—or whether New England’s offseason plan will keep moving forward without him.

Stefon Diggs New England Patriots NFL offseason Romeo Doubs A.J. Brown trade Drake Maye cap space