Drake Maye reacts to Diggs’ exit with a quiet but emotional message after news that Stefon Diggs will not return to the New England Patriots for the upcoming NFL season.
The 23-year-old quarterback shared a photo of himself with Diggs on Instagram Stories. He didn’t add a caption, only Diggs’ username and a heart emoji, signalling respect for a teammate who quickly became a key part of the offence.
On Wednesday, March 4, the report states that Diggs would no longer wear Patriots colours when the new season begins.
Diggs spent one season in New England and, according to the source, finished with 86 receptions, 1,013 yards, and four touchdowns. During their brief run together, Maye and Diggs formed one of the team’s most productive connections and helped drive the Patriots to a Super Bowl LX appearance, where they lost 29-13 to the Seattle Seahawks.
That quick bond is what made Maye’s simple post stand out: no long statement, just a gesture that acknowledged the impact Diggs had in a short time.
Why did the Patriots move on?
The departure surprised many observers, but the source points to realities of roster building.
Diggs joined the Patriots on a three-year, $69 million deal after arriving from the Houston Texans. However, the report says that keeping him would have cost the Patriots $26.5 million against their 2026 salary cap, an expensive number for a team trying to maintain flexibility.
The source also mentions prior speculation about a possible move to the Denver Broncos, though it notes those talks didn’t materialise and Diggs chose New England instead.
Read: Stefon Diggs Instagram Purge Fuels New England Patriots Future Questions in NFL Spotlight
The source also references off-field issues that drew attention during the season timeline, including a viral video and an assault case involving allegations related to Diggs’ personal chef. The report says Diggs pleaded not guilty and that the matter is scheduled to continue on April 1, 2026.
Separately, the source notes public interest in Diggs’ personal life, which also generated headlines.
What’s next for New England?
Diggs’ exit leaves a major hole in the Patriots’ offence. According to the report, New England’s next steps in free agency and the NFL Draft will be crucial as the team tries to return to the Super Bowl after falling short against Seattle.
For Maye, the goodbye post suggests the football side of the story matters too: a productive partnership ended quickly, and the offence now needs a new centrepiece at receiver.
