Since the beginning of this century, Boston has strongly held the principle of the “Patriot Way.” Any time a veteran who caused drama on other teams enters the New England Patriots, it is a typical assumption that they’ll fall in line and abide by the team’s winning, accountability, and team-first culture. The same was thought about wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who entered the team in 2025 having already proven that he could play, but also that he could be a menace.

Head coach Mike Vrabel realized it soon when Diggs was seen on a boat with a mysterious pink substance in his hand two months after signing his new deal. Nothing came of it, but things only got worse from there. His off-field drama eclipsed his stellar performance before the team finally parted ways. While everyone wondered what pushed the team to this point, sources have told EssentiallySports’ Tim Wood that the one who really stirred the pot was Cardi B.

“Pats sources also said the Cardi B drama is ultimately what made them back away from Diggs,” Wood reported via X. “Great player, money, and ask ultimately not a fit, but there’s real family drama there that is not the Patriots Way. And that only backed up their choice not to aggressively push a re-sign.”

After the Patriots lost the big one to the Seattle Seahawks last month, a reporter asked Diggs if he would retire after this year. The wideout then sarcastically responded that he was still signed with the team via his three-year, $63.5 million deal. He had restructuring and opt-out options going into the final two years of this deal, but his response made it clear that he liked being in Foxborough.

The Patriots, too, had little incentive to pull the plug early. As such, many believed the reason to cut him would be financial.

Diggs’ cap number was set to rise from $10.5 million to $26.5 million, with the $6 million in guarantees that would have triggered if he remained on the roster beyond the first week of March. For a team now looking to reboot their dynastic run, that amount is huge. But as Wood reported, it was the off-field drama that brought the two sides to this point.

American rapper Cardi B and Stefon Diggs made their first official public appearance in May 2025 during a New York Knicks (NBA) playoff game. The rapper confirmed the relationship publicly the following month. They also later welcomed a baby boy in November.

However, the couple broke up “a few days” before Super Bowl LX, as per Us Weekly, because Diggs allegedly “betrayed her (Cardi B) so many times.” The same report further revealed that the Atlanta-based music star felt “free” and was moving forward to focus on her tour and new music. But this isn’t where Diggs’ off-field story ended.

The Patriots’ decision comes after Diggs’ long history of troubles

At 32, Stefon Diggs was hit with serious legal trouble tied to a December 2 incident at his home, facing a felony charge related to strangulation or suffocation along with a misdemeanor assault allegation, which added to a growing list of off-field concerns.

Just weeks before that, influencer Christopher Blake Griffith filed a complaint accusing Diggs of multiple civil offenses, including s—– b—— and defamation.

However, Diggs pushed back, filing a libel lawsuit and claiming the accusations were made up. Around the same time, his personal life also drew attention when a paternity case filed by Aileen Lopera confirmed through testing that he was the father of her daughter.

His fresh start in New England wasn’t as fresh either. In late May 2025, a video surfaced showing Diggs on a boat passing around a mysterious pink substance. The team and the league knew about it. However, with the substance never being identified, the situation was dropped.

The financial commitment to an aging receiver, smothered in lawsuits and drama despite finishing the season with a team-high 85 receptions for 1,013 yards, didn’t make sense for the franchise. The team even targeted another high-profile name to replace him.

However, they failed in their pursuit after the star stayed with the conference rival following a historic extension, as reported by EssentiallySports’ Wood.

Alec Pierce rejects the Patriots’ offer to stay in Indy

The New England Patriots were reportedly interested in signing Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce, who revealed his desire to test out free agency, perhaps because even though the Colts looked strong for most of the season, an injury to their quarterback pulled them out of the lead. He led the Colts with 1,003 receiving yards in 2025, a career high, while leading the NFL in yards per reception in each of the past two seasons. Pierce could’ve been looking for a team that had a winning potential.

However, Pierce was convinced to stay as the Colts front office presented him with a massive $116 million, four-year deal with $60 million fully guaranteed. The 25-year-old rejected New England’s offer, as sources confirmed the reason to Tim Wood.

“As @TonyPauline reported for us, a team offered more for @alecpierce. My sources tell me it was the Patriots,” Wood reported via X. “Pats sources felt all along Pierce wanted to stay in Indy, and tell me they found out for real when formal offer was rejected.”

With no Stefon Diggs on the roster and the front office missing out on Alec Pierce, Patriots fans will hope their franchise can act quickly to bolster a roster that made it to the Big Game and capitalize on the early progression of QB1 Drake Maye in his two seasons in the league. Meanwhile, Diggs remains a free agent in hopes of finding a team that is willing to take a chance on him, again.