Could the Patriots Part Ways with Stefon Diggs Without Financial Repercussions? Unpacking the Complexities

If you follow NFL news, you might have heard that Stefon Diggs signed a three-year, $69 million contract with the New England Patriots, including $26 million guaranteed. But the reality is more complicated, especially after Diggs suffered a torn ACL.

The contract is tricky. Diggs won’t receive any money until he passes a full physical exam. Until that happens, the Patriots have no obligation to pay him. This raises a significant question: If they choose to release him, will they owe him anything?

Scott Zolak from the Patriots Radio Network hinted that cutting ties with Diggs is a possibility. This makes it important to understand his contract terms better.

Contract Details

The contract specifies a signing bonus of $12 million—$4 million is due soon, and another $8 million is scheduled for later. However, there’s a catch: Diggs must pass a physical to receive any of that money.

Paragraph 26(b) of his contract states that the team physician has the final say on whether he can practice or play. If the doctor deems him unfit, the Patriots are not obligated to pay him.

Pre-Existing Conditions

There’s an additional clause regarding Diggs’s knee injury. If his knee, classified as a "Pre-Existing Condition," is the reason for any termination, the Patriots can void the remaining guarantees in his contract. In short, if Diggs fails his physical due to this injury, the Patriots might walk away without paying him beyond the already received amount.

Recent Context

This isn’t the first time such contractual issues have surfaced in the NFL. For instance, former receiver Antonio Brown filed a grievance against the Patriots after they withheld a signing bonus for a failed physical. Ultimately, they settled for $5 million, which illustrates how these situations can unfold legally.

Current Landscape and Fan Reactions

Fans and analysts are divided on social media. Many express concern over Diggs’s fitness to return to the field, while others are skeptical about the team’s ability to navigate this situation smoothly. One Twitter user even suggested, "The Patriots need to be smart about this. Cutting Diggs may open up new opportunities."

Conclusion

The situation surrounding Stefon Diggs’s contract is complex and fraught with uncertainty. Until he passes that crucial physical, a three-year, $69 million deal could potentially turn into nothing. The outcome will depend heavily on medical evaluations and the decisions made by the Patriots. Keeping an eye on this storyline might be essential for anyone invested in the NFL’s dynamics.

For more insights, you can check ESPN’s detailed report on the matter.

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