Patriots Considering Reunion with Veteran Receiver Stefon Diggs

New England open to bringing back Diggs instead of trading for Eagles' A.J. Brown

Mar. 13, 2026 at 12:23pm

The New England Patriots are exploring the possibility of re-signing veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who they parted ways with this offseason, rather than trading for Philadelphia Eagles star A.J. Brown. Patriots executive Eliot Wolf indicated the team is not in a rush to finalize a deal for Brown and is open to bringing back the 32-year-old Diggs, who had over 1,000 receiving yards for New England last season.

Why it matters

The Patriots are in the market for a top wide receiver to bolster their passing attack, but the high asking price for Brown from the Eagles has them reconsidering a reunion with the veteran Diggs. Diggs has off-field legal issues to resolve, but his familiarity with the Patriots' system and chemistry with quarterback Mac Jones could make him an appealing option.

The details

Diggs led the 2025 Patriots with 85 receptions, 102 targets and 1,013 receiving yards. However, he is facing a pretrial hearing on April 1 related to charges of felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery from an alleged December incident. The Patriots are exploring all options to improve their receiving corps, including the possibility of trading for Brown, but Wolf indicated they are not in a rush and are open to bringing back the experienced Diggs.

  • Diggs turned 32 years old this past fall.
  • Diggs has a pretrial hearing scheduled for April 1 related to charges of felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery.

The players

Stefon Diggs

A 32-year-old veteran wide receiver who played for the Patriots in 2025, leading the team in receptions, targets and receiving yards.

A.J. Brown

A 28-year-old wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles who the Patriots are considering trading for, but the asking price is reportedly at least a first-round and second-round draft pick.

Eliot Wolf

The New England Patriots' executive vice president of player personnel, who spoke to reporters about the team's interest in Diggs and Brown.

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What they’re saying

“I wouldn't say the door's closed. I mean, again, we're gonna look through every way we possibly can to help improve the team.”

— Eliot Wolf, Executive Vice President of Player Personnel, New England Patriots

“I think the only real deadlines you have are salary-cap related. For instance, did we spend money in free agency that would take us out of something else? But I wouldn't say there's a deadline on trying to improve the team.”

— Eliot Wolf, Executive Vice President of Player Personnel, New England Patriots

What’s next

The judge in Diggs' case will decide on April 1 whether to allow him out on bail.

The takeaway

The Patriots are weighing their options at wide receiver, considering a reunion with the familiar Stefon Diggs or trading for the younger A.J. Brown, as they look to bolster their passing attack. Diggs' off-field issues add complexity, but his chemistry with the team could make him an appealing choice if the legal situation is resolved.