A jury has cleared four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs of assault charges, opening the door for his potential return to professional football.
However, the NFL continues to evaluate the situation and could still impose sanctions against the veteran player.
“We have been monitoring all developments in the matter which remains under review of the personal conduct policy,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said Tuesday.
The jury reached a not guilty verdict Tuesday regarding allegations that Diggs attacked his personal chef. The criminal case originated from a December 2nd incident at Diggs’ Massachusetts residence, where Jamila Adams, who previously worked as his live-in personal chef, claimed under oath that Diggs struck and strangled her during a dispute. Diggs had entered a plea of not guilty to both a felony strangulation count and a misdemeanor assault and battery count. The jury needed fewer than two hours of deliberation before dismissing all charges against him.
“The evidence has shown what we’ve maintained from day one: Mr. Diggs was wrongly accused, and this case represents exactly the kind of opportunistic targeting that players can face the moment they step off the field,” Diggs’ attorney, Mitch Schuster, said in a statement.
During the previous season, Diggs played for the New England Patriots and contributed to their Super Bowl appearance, though they ultimately fell to Seattle. The team cut him in March, leaving him without a contract.
His employment status may shift in the near future, although potential league sanctions remain on the table.
Multiple NFL athletes, including Ben Roethlisberger, Jameis Winston and Ezekiel Elliott, have received suspensions for personal-conduct policy violations even without facing arrests or criminal charges.
The former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Roethlisberger received a six-game suspension in 2010 following sexual assault allegations, though it was later shortened to four games after his appeal.
Winston faced a three-game suspension in 2018 during his fourth year with Tampa Bay following sexual assault accusations.
Elliott, a three-time Pro Bowl running back, served a six-game suspension in 2017 during his sophomore season with Dallas after a league investigation into domestic violence claims. An arbitrator confirmed the six-game penalty when Elliott appealed.
In his sole campaign with New England, Diggs topped the team with 85 catches and 1,013 receiving yards plus four touchdowns. He served as the primary target for Drake Maye, who came in second to Matthew Stafford in AP NFL MVP voting.
Diggs, who will celebrate his 33rd birthday on November 29, has switched teams three times over the past three seasons. His professional journey started in Minnesota in 2015, where he evolved from a fifth-round draft selection into the Vikings’ top receiver over five years.
Buffalo acquired him through a trade for a first-round pick in 2020, and he earned All-Pro recognition that season. After four years with the Bills, his relationship with the organization soured. Most recently, he suited up for Houston in 2024.
Looking ahead, several franchises could potentially pursue Diggs:
Even after selecting Ja’Kobi Lane in round three and Elijah Sarratt in round four, Baltimore might seek another experienced receiver to complement Zay Flowers and provide Lamar Jackson with additional weapons.
Pittsburgh brought in Michael Pittman Jr. through a trade to team up with DK Metcalf and attempted to draft Makai Lemon in the opening round before Philadelphia selected him first. The Steelers eventually chose receiver Germie Bernard in round two, but Aaron Rodgers, should he continue playing, typically favors seasoned players, making Diggs a logical match.
Fourth-round selection Brenen Thompson joins a receiving corps headed by Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston, with Tre’ Harris also in the mix. Diggs would provide Justin Herbert with a reliable receiving option.
Following their unsuccessful pursuit of an A.J. Brown trade earlier this offseason, Los Angeles might still want another veteran addition to enhance their talented group featuring All-Pro Puka Nacua and six-time Pro Bowl selection Davante Adams.
New England will probably land Brown from Philadelphia after June 1st. Still, reuniting with Diggs at the right price could make sense. He understands their system and harbored no resentment after learning of his release. Diggs expressed gratitude toward the franchise, stating: “We family forever.”
