Patriots could bring Stefon Diggs back under one condition

The New England Patriots rolled the dice on Stefon Diggs last offseason, signing him despite coming off a major knee injury.

For better or worse, the former Buffalo Bills star had a decent campaign in Foxborough, but that wasn’t enough to keep him around. Now, after being acquitted of his assault charges and still unsigned, there’s speculation about whether he’ll be back on a cheaper deal.

For now, Patriots insider Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston doesn’t see that happening. That’s, of course, unless they miss out on the Eagles’ A.J. Brown.

Stefon Diggs’ Patriots return depends on A.J. Brown

“If they miss out on A.J Brown, I guess that’s a different topic or it just gives it a new wrinkle that I’m not really considering right now,” Perry said. “With A.J. Brown anticipated to be in the fold, I don’t see Stefon Diggs coming back. I don’t really think this court case had anything to do with the Patriots releasing him.”

However, Perry isn’t so sure about Diggs’ chances, even if they don’t get Brown. The Patriots already signed former Green Bay Packers WR Romeo Doubs, and he might be their primary pass-catcher if the Brown trade doesn’t go through.

“I think that the move to part ways with him was more about money owed and age and a willingness and a desire to upgrade, which I think they think they have done with Romeo Doubs. So before even adding A.J Brown, I think they think they’re better off at that position right now,” added Perry.

Brown’s desire to play in New England is the league’s worst-kept secret. He played for Mike Vrabel in Tennessee and hasn’t been happy in Philadelphia for a while now.

Still, that doesn’t mean the Eagles owe him anything or must trade him to his preferred destination. They have to wait until June 1 to move him to avoid taking a big cap hit, and several teams might join his sweepstakes by then. As for Diggs, he can still play, but his age and distractions off the field might make it tough for him to find an ideal situation if he can’t return to New England.