Patriots Star Stefon Diggs Confronts Serious Assault Allegations
Trigger Warning: This story contains references to assault.
New England Patriots star wide receiver Stefon Diggs is facing significant legal trouble after being charged with assault and strangulation following an alleged incident involving his personal chef. The accusations claim that Diggs slapped the chef and attempted to choke her during a dispute over money owed for her services.
Legal Proceedings and Court Appearance
On February 13, Diggs appeared before a judge at Dedham District Court in Massachusetts, where a pre-trial hearing was scheduled for April 1. The court has imposed strict conditions, prohibiting Diggs from having any contact with the alleged victim while the case proceeds. The outcome of this legal dispute is expected to have substantial implications for Diggs' future with the New England Patriots organization.
Coach Mike Vrabel's Cautious Response
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel addressed the situation during a recent press conference, offering a measured response that emphasized allowing the legal process to unfold naturally. "Those players, whether that's Stefon or anybody else that has something," Vrabel stated, "have done exactly what they're supposed to do, been where they're supposed to be, communicated with the court when they're supposed to communicate with them."
Vrabel continued, "So, we're going to let all that take care of itself, and then we'll see what the judgments are in those particular cases." This approach reflects the team's strategy of monitoring developments before making any definitive decisions regarding Diggs' status.
Contract Details and Financial Implications
According to contract tracking service Spotrac, Diggs is entering the second year of a three-year contract valued at $63.5 million, with $22.5 million guaranteed. For the 2026 season, he is set to earn a base salary of $20.6 million, plus a $200,000 workout bonus, while carrying a cap hit of $26.5 million and a dead cap value of $8 million.
Mark Daniels of MassLive reports that if the Patriots decide to release the 32-year-old wide receiver, they could free up $16.8 million in cap space while incurring $9.7 million in dead money. If such a move occurs after the June 1 designation, the team could potentially free up $20.8 million in cap space.
Daniels suggests that New England might consider approaching Diggs about restructuring his contract, which could represent a compromise solution. This would allow the team to retain their top wide receiver without shouldering a $26.5 million cap hit for a player who will turn 33 in 2027.
Broader Team Philosophy and Additional Legal Cases
Coach Vrabel's comments extended beyond Diggs' situation, touching on the team's broader philosophy regarding player conduct. Another Patriots player, defensive tackle Christian Barmore, is also facing legal issues related to an alleged domestic incident. Boston Herald's Andrew Callahan noted that this isn't the first time Barmore has been involved in a legal dispute.
The 26-year-old is accused of allegedly throwing the mother of his two-year-old daughter to the ground. The woman reportedly submitted photos of her injuries to police and claimed that Barmore threatened to have his cousin assault her.
Discussing both players' situations, Vrabel emphasized, "We want to make sure that these are just, in fact, accusations. We want to make sure that we have the right people on this football team. That's the first thing that we want to do."
He elaborated on the team's values, stating, "I want to make sure that the people on this football team are the right people that we want on there that share the same beliefs, and the same work ethic, and the same values help us build an identity again. Then, we'll evaluate the player for the player. Whenever any of those things come to light or there's a decision, and we know more information, then we'll make a decision on that."
The Patriots organization now faces complex decisions as they navigate these legal challenges while maintaining competitive integrity and team culture. With Diggs' court hearing scheduled for April 1, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining both his personal future and his professional trajectory with the New England Patriots.
