What are the odds Patriots do the unthinkable and cut Stefon Diggs?

USA Today

2 days ago

What are the odds Patriots do the unthinkable and cut Stefon Diggs?
Stefon Diggs hasn't even taken a rep in competitive 11-on-11s for the New England Patriots, and there are already questions surrounding his future with the team.
The boat hasn't even left the dock yet (pun intended), and some are already wondering if the Patriots are having second thoughts. This all comes only two months after he signed a three-year, $69 million deal with New England.
Yikes.
The Patriots didn't have to wait long to get smacked in the face by the often talked about Diggs drama. It used to be something Patriots fans would laugh about and troll the Buffalo Bills over relentlessly. Issues would pop up between Diggs and quarterback Josh Allen, and the cryptic tweets would start to flow.
It was a gleeful time for Patriots fans.
Now, for better or worse, Diggs is New England's problem. That's a lesson the Patriots learned the hard way over Memorial Day weekend, after a viral video surfaced of Diggs on a boat entertaining a group of women and passing out a bag with an unknown pink substance.
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged that he was aware of the video, but he wouldn't go into potential private conversations he might have had with Diggs over the incident.
"Obviously, we want to make great decisions on and off the field, and we're hoping that with our time here on the field today, and when you don't have a script and we're on the call periods, that we're making great decisions," said Vrabel. "So the message will be the same for all of the players. Try to make great decisions. Any conversations that I've had with Stefon will remain between him and I."
The Patriots aren't cutting Diggs after this one incident, but Vrabel could have his authority put to the test early if more incidents follow. There might also be a shorter leash on Diggs if the talent isn't up to par.
Sure, he has looked great in the multiple video workouts he constantly shares on social media. But he's still a 31-year-old player coming off a torn ACL injury. If he isn't a game-changer for the Patriots offensively, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the team weighing the potential headaches and diminishing talent.
98.5 The Sports Hub's Mike Felger doesn't see Diggs being cut over the boat incident, but he does see the possibility of the team moving on for other issues.
"Here's why they might cut him: They just invested a ton of money in him, and he's due a lot of money coming up," said Felger, who gives Diggs a 60 percent chance of making the team. "What if they deem him to be a bad investment? What if he's not in shape? What if he's not doing things to keep himself in shape? What if he's not showing up to the stadium rehabbing on the schedule they want him to?"
Even NBC Sports Boston's Phil Perry wouldn't completely close the door on the possibility of Diggs not making the team.
"I put it at an 80-85 [ percent chance that Diggs makes the team]. I do think this is a significant story though, and it's significant not only for Diggs in a vacuum. But is he going to be good this year?" Perry asked on Arbella Early Edition. "They really need him to be good this year. He's coming off an injury. He is where he is in terms of his age, and he's not with the team right now. Yes, it is voluntary, but you got guys like Mack Hollins who is here and clearly dealing with something physically and just hanging out."
Diggs put Vrabel in a tough spot in his first year as the Patriots' head coach. Vrabel should be in front of the media answering questions about practice and getting ready for the 2025 season. Yet, he's dealing with off-the-field issues for a player who didn't even show up to voluntary practice.
That isn't to say the two sides can't right the ship. Say whatever you want to say about Diggs' questionable behavior at times, but no one can question his work ethic. Diggs is one of the hardest-working receivers in the NFL. So there's hope that he'll be in shape and ready to go when he's in the building.
But there's a reason why Diggs wasn't the Patriots' first target in free agency, despite all of his talent. Was it worth it? That's a question Vrabel and the Patriots will be asking themselves until Diggs finally steps on the field.
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