FOXBOROUGH – No one knew exactly what it was going to look like when Stefon Diggs.

Turns out, he was exactly what Drake Maye needed at times in 2025.

Diggs ended up being a model teammate (aside from a few distractions here and there) but, most importantly, he became a leader in the wide receiver room and a go-to guy a lot of times for Drake Maye.

Now, the question is, will he be back? Diggs is technically signed through the 2027 season, but there are some significant financial questions the Pats need to figure out with a 32-year old wide receiver. Diggs signed a three-year, $69 million contract back in March, but it was a heavily backloaded deal that essentially amounted to a one-year ‘prove it’ type of deal with incentives. If New England moves on from him before June 1, they save $16.8 million while spending $9.7 million in a dead cap hit. If he does stick around for 2026, the team could save $22.5 million ($4 million in dead cap money) if they move on after the season.

On Tuesday during ‘break up’ day when players cleared out their lockers and said goodbye until offseason workouts begin, Maye spoke to the media one last time. I asked him how much he’s looking forward to building off the relationship he and Diggs established this season.

After all, Maye could at least have a little bit of say as the face of the franchise. He certainly sounded like a guy who wants No. 8 back in the locker room.

“Man, I wish I would have gotten him more chances in the game. I know he probably thinks the same way and I think he’s just been a great force for us this year,” said Maye. “I can’t say enough about what he’s done for us, what he’s done for this team what he’s proved to himself. I think I saw him say something about that, proving to himself the player that he is and that he can still be a big time player in this league. He showcased that. He’s got a lot of juice left in the tank and he told me the other day he’s got a chance to really work on his craft in the offseason. He really didn’t have a chance last offseason coming off the injury. So, he’s got a chance to get back and working and just trying to give whatever’s left in his body.

“I know there’s something left and I’m looking forward to getting a chance to hopefully throw him some more passes and watch eight go.”