If you haven’t checked the NFL standings in a few months, you might be rubbing your eyes at the sight of number 8 in a New England jersey. After a wild career path that saw him go from a miracle-maker in Minnesota to a superstar in Buffalo and a brief, injury-shortened stint in Houston, fans are constantly asking who is Stefon Diggs playing for these days.
The answer is the New England Patriots.
It’s been a crazy ride for the veteran wide receiver. Honestly, most people thought he’d stay in Houston to finish what he started with C.J. Stroud, but the NFL business moves fast. On March 28, 2025, Diggs signed a massive three-year deal with the Patriots worth up to $69 million. It wasn’t just a "retirement tour" contract, either. New England needed a true alpha for their young quarterback, Drake Maye, and they were willing to pay the premium to get him.
The Shocking Move to Foxborough
The transition from the Texans to the Patriots caught a lot of folks off guard. Remember, Diggs tore his ACL in Week 8 of the 2024 season while playing for Houston. Usually, when a receiver over 30 years old goes down with a knee like that, teams run for the hills.
Not New England.
They saw an opportunity. While the rest of the league was worried about his recovery timeline, the Patriots medical staff did their homework and green-lit a contract that included $22.6 million in guarantees. It was a gamble that paid off. Diggs didn't just return; he returned in time for the 2025 training camp and looked like his old self.
How Diggs Is Changing the Patriots Offense
Basically, the Patriots had a "weapon problem." Drake Maye was showing flashes of brilliance, but he was throwing to a rotation of young guys and role players like Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte. They needed a guy who wins at the line of scrimmage every single time.
In the 2025 season, Diggs proved he still has the juice. He finished the regular season with 85 catches for 1,013 yards and 4 touchdowns. He basically became the security blanket for Maye. You’ve probably seen the highlights—it's usually a 3rd-and-long where Diggs finds a soft spot in the zone, catches a bullet, and keeps the drive alive.
- Reliability: He’s still a master of the 10-yard out route.
- Veteran Leadership: He’s been seen coaching up the younger WRs on the sidelines.
- Production: 2025 marked his seventh season crossing the 1,000-yard threshold.
The Contract Reality: Is He Staying?
One thing that often confuses people about who is Stefon Diggs playing for is the "hidden" nature of his contract. While it’s technically a three-year deal, some analysts have pointed out it’s really a series of one-year bets.
For the upcoming 2026 league year, Diggs has a base salary of $20.6 million. There’s a catch: $6 million of that becomes fully guaranteed in early March 2026. If the Patriots want to keep the Maye-to-Diggs connection alive, they’ll let that deadline pass. If they decide they want to get younger or save cap space, they could technically cut bait with $8 million in dead cap.
But given that New England finished the 2025 regular season with a 14-3 record and a deep playoff run, it’s hard to imagine them moving on. Winning tends to fix everything, even the "diva" narratives that followed him from Buffalo.
What Most People Get Wrong About Diggs in 2026
You hear the same talking points on sports radio. "He's too old." "The ACL changed him." "He'll get frustrated with a young QB."
The data says otherwise.
Actually, Diggs’ average depth of target (aDOT) has remained remarkably consistent. He isn't just a "slot guy" now. He’s still taking defenders deep and winning those contested catches. In 2025, he had a massive game against his former team, the Buffalo Bills, hauling in 10 catches for 146 yards. That didn't look like a guy who was "washed." It looked like a guy with a massive chip on his shoulder.
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Key Stats From the 2025 Season
If you're a fantasy football manager or just a stats nerd, these numbers from his first full year in New England are pretty telling:
- He played in all 17 regular-season games (silencing the ACL doubters).
- He targeted 135 times, showing he is still the clear "WR1" on the depth chart.
- His catch percentage was roughly 63%, which is solid considering the amount of attention defenses pay him.
- He logged 354 yards after the catch (YAC), proving the elusiveness is still there.
Why the Patriots Connection Works
New England's head coach, Mike Vrabel, has built a culture that seems to suit Diggs. It’s no-nonsense, but it values high-football-IQ players. Diggs is exactly that. He knows how to read a safety before the ball is even snapped.
Pairing that with Drake Maye’s arm talent has created one of the most dangerous duos in the AFC East. It’s funny how things work out. A few years ago, Diggs was the villain in the AFC East for Patriots fans. Now, he’s the hero helping them reclaim the division title.
What to Watch for Next
As we head into the 2026 offseason, keep an eye on that March 13th deadline. That’s when the financial commitment for the next season kicks in. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, watch the Patriots' draft moves. If they don't take a wide receiver in the first two rounds, it’s a massive signal that they are all-in on Diggs for at least another two years.
You should also look at his target share in the early 2026 preseason. As Drake Maye enters his third year, their chemistry should only get tighter. The "Patriot Way" might have changed since the Brady era, but having a Hall of Fame-caliber receiver on the outside is a classic winning formula that never goes out of style.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the official New England Patriots roster updates in March to confirm his roster bonus status.
- Monitor Drake Maye's training camp reports to see if any other receiver is eating into Diggs' target share.
- Look for Diggs' personal social media updates; he's usually pretty vocal when he's happy with his team's direction.