Stefon Diggs Reveals Near Signing with Broncos Before Patriots Deal

In a surprising revelation, New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs disclosed that he was “close” to signing with the Denver Broncos during free agency last March. This potential move could have significantly altered the Broncos’ offensive landscape. Diggs, who ultimately signed a three-year, $69 million contract with the Patriots, shared insights about his decision during the Super Bowl’s opening-night festivities in San Jose, California.

Factors Influencing Diggs’ Decision

Several key factors drew Diggs to consider the Broncos. Notably, his prior experience with head coach Sean Payton and an understanding of his offensive strategies played a crucial role. Diggs faced Payton’s New Orleans Saints in two pivotal playoff games while with the Minnesota Vikings in 2017 and 2019, which gave him insight into the effectiveness of Payton’s schemes.

Another significant influence was Davis Webb, the newly appointed Broncos offensive coordinator. Webb, who played as a backup quarterback with Diggs in Buffalo during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, was instrumental in helping him learn the playbook. Diggs praised Webb, stating, “He taught me a lot of the offense. He’s a good friend of mine. I think he’s gonna be a hell of a coach one day.”

Diggs’ familiarity with Webb’s coaching style and the potential for a strong offensive partnership contributed to his consideration of the Broncos. However, after weighing all options, he concluded that the Patriots would be the better fit, particularly with second-year quarterback Drake Maye at the helm.

Patriots and Broncos’ Free Agency Moves

In addition to Diggs, the Patriots also secured another player who was on the Broncos’ radar—linebacker Robert Spillane. Spillane signed a three-year contract worth $33 million with New England after reportedly being close to a deal with Denver. A source familiar with the negotiations indicated that Denver offered a comparable contract but withdrew as Spillane’s asking price escalated.

Spillane reflected on his decision, stating, “Knowing Coach Mike Vrabel was definitely key,” as he recalled his rookie season under Vrabel in Tennessee. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to return and play for him again.

The Broncos, who finished the 2025 season with the second-most dropped passes in the NFL, added only veteran wide receiver Trent Sherfield during free agency. After a disappointing season, Sherfield was released midseason after recording just three catches over ten games. Coach Payton emphasized confidence in the existing receiving corps despite their struggles, leading to the dismissal of receivers coach Keary Colbert after the season concluded.

During an end-of-season press conference, Broncos general manager George Paton assessed the team’s needs moving forward, confirming that he did not regret the decision not to pursue a trade for a wide receiver during the trade deadline, despite speculation linking them to the Miami Dolphins’ Jaylen Waddle.

As the Broncos prepare for the 2026 offseason, addressing their wide receiver and linebacker positions will be critical following a narrow defeat to the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game on January 25, 2025.

This offseason will be pivotal for the Broncos as they seek to enhance their roster and improve their standing in the competitive NFL landscape.