Stefon Diggs Reportedly Chose Patriots over Broncos When Deciding Contract in NFL Free Agency
New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs reportedly could have been on the other sideline for Sunday’s AFC Championship Game if the offseason unfolded differently.
“My understanding, in free agency, it was down to the Patriots and the [Denver] Broncos,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday. “Diggs chose the Patriots.”
Diggs agreed to a three-year, $63.5 million deal with the Patriots this past offseason. The contract included a $12 million signing bonus and $22.6 million in guarantees, which was notable since he was limited to just eight games in 2024 during his one season with the Houston Texans because of an ACL injury.
The Maryland product remained healthy throughout the 2025 campaign and appeared in all 17 games.
While he wasn’t quite as dominant as he was on the Buffalo Bills when he was a Pro Bowler four straight seasons during a stretch that saw him lead the league with 1,535 receiving yards in 2020, he still led the Patriots in catches (85) and receiving yards (1,013).
Diggs was the go-to receiver for Drake Maye during the second-year quarterback’s breakout season that saw him in the middle of the MVP discussion and a major reason why the Patriots are now just one win away from reaching the Super Bowl.
The 32-year-old may not have put up quite as impressive of individual numbers if he signed with the Broncos considering they have Courtland Sutton as their No. 1 option.
Sutton posted 74 catches for 1,017 yards and seven touchdowns this season, while Troy Franklin finished with 65 catches for 709 yards and six touchdowns as the No. 2 option.
Diggs would have found a way to produce given his individual talent, but he likely wouldn’t have seen as many targets playing alongside Sutton and Franklin.
He surely doesn’t regret his decision given his fit in New England, but beating the other team he considered for the right to go to the Super Bowl would go a long way toward reconfirming his choice.
