Stefon Diggs and the Patriots agreed to terms on what initially was reported to be a three-year, $69 million pact. The total value surprised many given Diggs’ age (31) and the fact he’s coming off an ACL injury. However, the details of the contract tell a different story — a story which paints the Patriots in a savvy light.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported the $69 million max value is made up of $63.5 million in base pay and $5.5 million in total incentives. Of that $63.5 million base pay, Diggs has $16.6 million fully guaranteed and $22.6 million in injury guarantees.
“This one is a good example of how surface numbers don’t always reflect the reality of the deal,” Breer wrote on X. “Patriots are protected six ways from Sunday. Diggs will have to get healthy and play really well to get even to $20M in ’25 — with ’26 and ’27 effectively team options on the contract.”
A year-by-year breakdown looks like this, per Sports Illustrated:
— In 2025, Diggs can earn $18.5 million in base pay. It includes a $12 million signing bonus, $2.9 million fully-guaranteed base salary, $3.4 million in per-game roster bonuses ($200,000 each game) and $200,000 workout bonus.
— In 2026, though, only $1.7 million of Diggs’ 20.6 million base pay is fully guaranteed with $6 million guaranteed for injury. The injury guarantee will become fully guaranteed in March 2026. The remainder of Diggs’ base pay is made up of $1.7 million in per-game roster bonuses ($100,000 each game) and $200,000 in workout bonus.
— In 2027, Diggs could earn up to $22.5 million, but nothing is guaranteed. It’s comprised of a $20.6 million base, $1.7 million in per-game roster bonuses and $200,000 workout bonus.
The only way Diggs receives the full $5.5 million in incentives in 2025 is if he records 100 receptions for 1,300 yards. The Patriots would be thrilled to have to pay that $400,000. Diggs also will receive $500,000 if he makes the Pro Bowl any season, as he has four times in his career.
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All told, the risk isn’t as great as it seemed for the Patriots given how they’ve helped themselves with the contract language. That makes the signing all the more of a home run.
