Can The Patriots Afford A.J. Brown And Stefon Diggs?

New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs

Can The Patriots Afford A.J. Brown And Stefon Diggs? originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

It seems like every NFL offseason, each team is rumored to be signing every available free agent. It is one of my least favorite rituals.

However, even New England Patriots fans cannot believe the overwhelming evidence there is for the team acquiring three-time All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles.

With that move on the horizon, fans remain optimistic that a potential reunion with last season's leading receiver, Stefon Diggs, could still be in the works.

Let's see how financially realistic these lofty expectations are.

The Patriots currently have the fifth-most available cap space in the league with just over $36 million. However, roughly five million of that will come off the books when the team inks up first and second round draft picks Caleb Lomu and Gabe Jacas.

The Patriots will adopt his entire $23 million cap hit when the deal is done. This leaves the team with just $7 million to secure Diggs.

This is roughly half of what many outlets estimate the 33-year-old receiver could sign for in 2026.

So, regardless of whether or not the team would like to keep the vocal leader in the locker room, there does not seem to be room for it on the books.

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