Stefon Diggs has spoken out for the first time following the announcement that he was released from his three-year contract with the New England Patriots.
Despite delivering a strong performance on the field during his short tenure, it was reported Wednesday that the NFL wide receiver would not be fulfilling his entire contract and would be formally released next week.
Diggs addressed the news Wednesday on his Instagram Story, sharing a photo of himself in uniform on the field, alongside the caption: “THANK YOU for a hell of a year. We family forever @patriots … Until we meet again.”
The football player first signed a $63.5 million contract last year with the Patriots and was a key component in leading the team to this year’s Super Bowl, where they ultimately lost to the Seattle Seahawks. Throughout the season, he had the most receiving yards, earning 1,013 yards on 85 receptions and four touchdowns.
According to the NFL, his release from the contract was “financially motivated,” but the 32-year-old has dealt with a handful of off-field issues during his short time on the team.
In December, Diggs was charged with assault for allegedly choking his former private chef — he pleaded not guilty last month — and has since gone through a very public reported split from the rapper Cardi B, months after they welcomed a child together.
When he was charged, a Patriots spokesperson said on Diggs’ behalf: “Stefon has informed the organization that he categorically denies the allegations. We support Stefon. We will continue to gather information and will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities and the NFL as necessary. Out of respect for all parties involved, and given that this is an ongoing legal matter, we will have no further comment at this time.”
According to Us Weekly, Diggs and Cardi B separated days before the Super Bowl, with a source telling the outlet, “They are always so up and down. This isn’t the first time they have broken up.”
“Cardi is single and putting herself out there again. She feels free. He betrayed her so many times,” they added. “Her friends have been trying to show her that he is not right for her and that she deserved better.”
In an X post shared in December, the rapper called out “mean” behavior from her followers, following reports that she and Diggs spent Christmas Day separately.
“You need to calm down,” she stated. “You’ve been dragging me for three or four days, you’ve been a little bit too mean. I can’t go back in time, I already had a baby. You want me to put my baby back? What do you want me to do, you want me to leave my man?”
