One NFL insider believes the Patriots could take drastic action if they’re unsatisfied with Stefon Diggs’ explanation for the curious pink powder featured in a now-viral boat video taken over the holiday weekend.
During an appearance Friday on 98.5 The Sports Hub, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer outlined the possibility of New England cutting ties with the four-time Pro Bowl receiver, whom they signed to a three-year, $63.5 million contract in free agency worth $25 million guaranteed.
“I sort of think all things are on the table and I think really, to me at least, it’s going to boil down to what Stef told [head coach Mike] Vrabel, and how believable it was,” Breer said.
“Cause I think it’s going to be hard for anybody, the league is going to look into this, and they’re going to hit a dead end cause they’re not going to be able to prove what was in the bag. There’s no way for them to prove what was in the bag. So then, it’s up to the team to make a decision. And if the team wants to recoup any of the guaranteed money, they have to cut him right away. Because you can’t hold him on the roster for two weeks and then decide, OK, we’re done with you then, so my guess would be, the reason he wasn’t at practice — this is purely a guess — but my guess would be the reason he wasn’t at practice the other day might be because Mike told him to stay away and maybe they’re sorting through everything now.”
Diggs, who has been linked to rapper Cardi B, found himself at the center of controversy this week after social media footage emerged of him chatting on a boat with women with a pink substance present.
Vrabel, a former Patriots linebacker now in his first year as head coach, addressed the matter Wednesday at a voluntary practice, which Diggs did not attend.
“It’s something we’re aware of and obviously we want to make great decisions on and off the field,” Vrabel said. “Any conversations that I’ve had with Stefon will remain between him and I and the club.”
When pressed further Friday about the actual probability of the Patriots cutting ties with Diggs, Breer surmised it comes down to what the wideout told his coach.
“I mean, I don’t think there’s a great chance, but I’d say, if he lies to Mike, I would not doubt … I mean, here’s the thing, Mike was a player and has been around NFL locker rooms for almost 30 years now, I think he’s probably got a pretty good sense for if somebody’s coming in and lying to him, and it’s just how credible whatever Stefon Diggs says to him is,” Breer said.
“… If [Diggs] comes in and gives you a believable story and then falls on the sword and goes in front of the team and apologizes for putting everybody in this position when they have to answer questions for him, then fine. If there’s some sort of excuse-making and not believable that he’s trying to present, that’s where I think it’s we can’t trust him.”
Diggs is coming off a torn ACL sustained in October of last year in his lone season with the Texans.
He was traded to Houston in the 2024 offseason after four years with the Bills.
Diggs caught three touchdowns in eight appearances with the Texans.
The Patriots, looking to move forward from last year’s 4-13 disaster, open the season at home against the Raiders on Sept. 7.