{"id":794102,"date":"2026-03-05T16:22:19","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T16:22:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/794102\/"},"modified":"2026-03-05T16:22:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T16:22:19","slug":"stefon-diggs-could-make-a-return-to-former-team-as-free-agent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/794102\/","title":{"rendered":"Stefon Diggs could make a return to former team as free agent"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The NFL offseason has already delivered a stunning storyline, as reports indicate the New England Patriots have released veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs. The move would make Diggs one of the most intriguing free agents on the market, and it has already sparked speculation about a potential reunion with the Buffalo Bills, the franchise where he enjoyed some of the best seasons of his career.<\/p>\n<p>MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebiglead.com\/5-most-overrated-nfl-free-agents-hitting-the-market-in-2026\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">5 most overrated NFL free agents hitting the market in 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Patriots Move On After One Season<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"670\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/default-869-1024x670.jpg\" alt=\"Stefon Diggs \u2014 +4500\" class=\"wp-image-111045\"  \/>New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) runs after a catch during the first quarter against the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium. Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>Diggs\u2019 stint in New England appears set to end after just one season despite strong production. The 32-year-old receiver recorded 85 receptions for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns in 2025, marking his seventh career 1,000-yard season.<\/p>\n<p>Financial factors played a major role in the Patriots\u2019 decision. His salary cap hit was set to rise dramatically in 2026, with additional guaranteed money due if he remained on the roster. As a result, the Patriots will move on, ending a short but eventful chapter for Diggs in New England.<\/p>\n<p>A Familiar Landing Spot Emerges<\/p>\n<p>With Diggs about to hit free agency, attention quickly turned to possible landing spots. Among them, the Bills have emerged as a fascinating \u2014 and potentially shocking \u2014 option. Diggs spent four seasons in Buffalo and was a centerpiece of the team\u2019s offense alongside quarterback Josh Allen. <\/p>\n<p>During his time with the Bills, he became one of the league\u2019s most productive receivers, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections and leading the NFL in receptions and receiving yards in 2020. That history is why many fans and analysts are already debating whether Buffalo should consider bringing him back.<\/p>\n<p>Why a Reunion Could Make Sense<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/USATSI_22346568-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-128882\"  \/>Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) reacts after the game against the Kansas City Chiefs 2024 AFC divisional round game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n<p>From a football perspective, the idea isn\u2019t as far-fetched as it might sound. The Bills could benefit from adding another proven playmaker to their receiving corps, particularly with injuries and roster turnover affecting the position in recent seasons. A veteran like Diggs would bring experience, elite route running, and a familiar connection with Allen.<\/p>\n<p>Even late in his career, Diggs remains a productive receiver capable of stretching defenses and serving as a reliable target in critical moments.<\/p>\n<p>Why It Might Not Happen<\/p>\n<p>Despite the intrigue, a reunion is far from guaranteed. Diggs\u2019 departure from Buffalo previously came amid tension within the organization, and both sides may prefer to move forward rather than revisit the past. In addition, his current legal situation and off-field controversy could make teams cautious about committing to him long-term.<\/p>\n<p>Buffalo\u2019s front office will also need to consider its salary cap and long-term roster plans before pursuing a veteran receiver.<\/p>\n<p>One of the Offseason\u2019s Biggest Storylines<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/USATSI_22306201-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-128883\"  \/>Jan 15, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) runs the ball in the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a 2024 AFC wild card game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n<p>Still, the possibility of Diggs returning to Buffalo has quickly become one of the most intriguing storylines of the NFL offseason. If it were to happen, the move would not only reunite one of the league\u2019s most productive quarterback-receiver duos but also create one of the most dramatic comeback stories in recent NFL memory.<\/p>\n<p>For now, the league waits to see where Stefon Diggs will land next \u2014 and whether a surprising reunion with the Bills could actually become reality.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebiglead.com\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Enjoy free coverage of the top news &amp; trending stories on The Big Lead <\/a>\u2014<\/p>\n<p>MLB: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebiglead.com\/what-drug-did-jurickson-profar-take-new-reports-reveals-ped-use\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">What drug did Jurickson Profar take? MLB announces PED use<\/a><\/p>\n<p>SPORTS MEDIA: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebiglead.com\/stephen-a-smith-bashes-underwhelming-nba-star-food-addict\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Stephen A. Smith bashes underwhelming NBA star as \u2018food addict\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n<p>VIRAL: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebiglead.com\/nbc-delivers-epic-nostalgia-throwback-tuesday-nba-broadcast\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">NBC delivers epic nostalgia with \u2018Throwback Tuesday\u2019 NBA broadcast<\/a><\/p>\n<p>WORLD CUP: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebiglead.com\/will-iran-compete-in-the-2026-world-cup-donald-trump-weighs-in\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Will Iran compete in the 2026 World Cup? Donald Trump weighs in<\/a><\/p>\n<p>WNBA: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebiglead.com\/letter-from-2-time-mvp-4-time-all-star-reveals-rift-between-wnba-players-union-leaders\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Players, union leaders divided, claims letter from 2-time MVP and 4-time All-Star<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The NFL offseason has already delivered a stunning storyline, as reports indicate the New England Patriots have released&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":794103,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2048],"tags":[215,214,53,2086,7,249,6,531],"class_list":{"0":"post-794102","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-buffalo-bills","8":"tag-bills","9":"tag-buffalo","10":"tag-buffalo-bills","11":"tag-buffalobills","12":"tag-football","13":"tag-new-england-patriots","14":"tag-nfl","15":"tag-stefon-diggs"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/116177494190561148","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/794102","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=794102"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/794102\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/794103"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=794102"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=794102"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=794102"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}