Patriots coach Mike Vrabel rejected the idea of a Stefon Diggs return, saying the team is comfortable with its current receiving-room numbers after releasing the 32-year-old wideout in March. The comments came as New England has already added Romeo Doubs in fr
When Stefon Diggs was released by the New England Patriots at the start of the NFL’s new league year in March, the door didn’t just close on last season’s production — it sparked a question that wouldn’t go away. Could the Patriots bring him back on a cheaper one-year deal?
On Wednesday, head coach Mike Vrabel was asked whether the team would “ever consider” re-signing Diggs, and his answer landed with a mix of respect and restraint.
“I mean. I think we are probably at the number that we would need right now. ” Vrabel said. according to the Patriots’ official website. “I would not say anything is off the table. We would want to add anybody that could help us. I am not going to give a percentage on it. but I think we are happy with where we are at right now with the numbers and the people in the receiver room.”.
Then he made the other part of the message just as clear. “I appreciate Stefon as a person, as a player and what he did for us last year. I value that. He helped us win football games, helped us get to where we got. But right now I don’t think that that is something that I think we are exploring. But I would never say no.”.
Diggs’ numbers with New England last season were hard to ignore: 85 catches for 1,013 yards. Even so, this offseason has been about pivoting away from the idea of a straightforward reunion. The Patriots released him. and Diggs — an All-Pro and Pro Bowler — remains an unrestricted free agent. which is part of why the rumors persisted.
Since then, New England has already filled out the receiving room. The Patriots signed former Green Bay Packers receiver Romeo Doubs in free agency and acquired star receiver A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles. Brown, in particular, is expected to shift quarterback Drake Maye’s trajectory toward superstardom.
Maye, 23, finished last season as the runner-up to Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford for NFL MVP. In his second year, he guided the Patriots to a 14-3 record and an appearance in Super Bowl LX, though New England fell short to the Seattle Seahawks.
Diggs, meanwhile, is now searching for his fourth team in as many years. He hinted at potentially joining the Washington Commanders last month, adding another layer to the offseason guessing game even as Vrabel insists the Patriots aren’t actively pursuing a return.
The sequence of the Patriots’ choices — releasing Diggs despite his 1,013-yard season, then moving to add Doubs and bring in Brown — leaves little doubt about where their priorities sit right now. Vrabel wasn’t slamming the door. He just made it clear the team isn’t standing in the doorway, waiting.
Mike Vrabel Stefon Diggs Patriots Romeo Doubs A.J. Brown Drake Maye NFL offseason Super Bowl LX
So basically Vrabel saying nope but also kinda saying maybe lol.
I don’t get why they wouldn’t just bring Diggs back if he already knows the system. Like money talk or what? seems weird
I think the Patriots already have enough receivers so it’s fine. But also AJ Brown is gonna get hurt immediately because that’s what happens in New England, idk.
Wait didn’t they release him because he was bad with Maye? Or was that someone else. Either way, 85 catches shouldn’t just vanish. Vrabel saying “we’re happy with the numbers” like receivers are numbers on a spreadsheet… he should just say what % he’s willing to pay Diggs.