In terms of Diggs being released, we have seen this move before over the last few decades.
Remember when a player wanted to be traded out of New England, and before they could even say the word "traded," Bill Belichick would have them out the door?
It's a similar story with Stefon Diggs.
The Patriots made the move many thought they would, despite reports that the team was open to having both Diggs and maybe another major name like A.J. Brown in the building.
Releasing Diggs tells the world that the Patriots have no interest in paying him over $20 million in 2026, as well as the guaranteed money he was owed in less than a week.
This move now opens the floor for the Patriots to pursue potential weapons for Drake Maye next season, and it was a move that echoed decisions of the past.
As bad as it is to see a reputable powerhouse name like Diggs go, the Patriots have famously moved on from players one or two years too soon rather than one or two years too late.
Let's look at the obvious: Diggs was 32, going on 33, and had one ACL tear under his belt. Which is an argument against him that we heard all last season. The price tag of his contract was a major factor against the cap this year for the Patriots; with Diggs released, the Patriots will save nearly $16 million under the cap.
Diggs' legal battles had to be taken into consideration as well, whether the team wants to publicly admit that or not. The front office most likely had to decide what a player like Diggs would play like ahead of the 2027 season, rather than the 2026 season.
Like Bill Belichick, a ghost of the past almost at this point, the team did what they always did: move on from a player before they got stuck with him and wasted a ton of money doing so.
Even NFL insider Ian Rapoport spoke about it after appearing on television on Wednesday afternoon, after the announcement of Diggs' departure from Foxborough.
"What the Patriots did is really what the Patriots have done for the last several decades; honestly, they move on maybe a season too early rather than a season too late."
Twenty-four hours removed from the Diggs release, many now wonder who will fill the void in the wide receiver room at Gillette Stadium.
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