Stefon Diggs return not in Patriots’ current plans, says Mike Vrabel

Three months after getting released by the New England Patriots, and with his assault case resolved in his favor, Stefon Diggs remains unsigned in free agency. So, would the New England Patriots consider brining the veteran wide receiver back into the fold?

According to head coach Mike Vrabel, nothing can be ruled out. However, the Patriots’ current plans at the position look differently.

“I think we’re probably at the number that we would need right now,” Vrabel explained ahead of the Patriots’ second practice of mandatory minicamp on Wednesday. “I wouldn’t say anything is off the table. We’d want to add anybody that can help us. I’m not going to give a percentage on it, but I think we’re happy with where we’re at right now, with the the numbers and the people in the receiver room.”

A former member of the Vikings, Bills and Texans, Diggs joined the Patriots on an incentive-heavy three-year, $63.5 million deal last offseason. Despite coming off a torn ACL, he became a core member of New England’s passing attack and finished as quarterback Drake Maye’s favorite target.

In total, Diggs saw action in all 21 games and was on the receiving end of 99 combined passes for 1,123 yards and five touchdowns. He also took on a leadership role in what was mostly a young wide receiver room.

Nonetheless, with his cap number set to spike and legal questions hanging over him, the Patriots decided to cut him in mid-March. Since then, they added free agent Romeo Doubs on a four-year contract and traded a pair of draft picks for A.J. Brown.

Nonetheless, Diggs remained a popular name linked to the franchise. And while Vrabel did not close the door entirely, he also made the Patriots’ position clear at this point in time.

“I appreciate Stefon as a person and as a player, and what he did for us last year,” the reigning NFL Coach of the Year said. “I value that. Helped us win football games. Helped us get to where we got. But right now, I don’t think that’s something that we’re exploring. But I would never say no.”

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