Stefon Diggs Contract Reportedly Gives Patriots 'Uncommon' Protection from Knee Injury

Wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who is working his way back from a torn ACL in his right knee suffered last October, signed a three-year contract with $63.5 million in base pay (max value of $69 million) with the New England Patriots last offseason.

However, per Mike Florio of NFL Network, the Patriots have "uncommon" contractual protections against Diggs' knee.

"While certain contractual protections against pre-existing injuries aren’t unprecedented, a source with knowledge of the broader NFL habits and trends said that the Diggs clause is 'uncommon,'" Florio wrote.

Florio explained the situation in greater detail.

"The contract contains a waiver regarding his right knee," Florio noted.

"His guarantees expressly do not apply 'to any NFL football-related injury sustained by Player while performing services under this Contract that, in the sole opinion of the Club’s physician, which shall be final and binding, is in any way related to a deterioration, aggravation or re-injury' to the pre-existing injury to the right knee.

"Also, the Patriots have the sole ability to terminate the contract due to the pre-existing injury unless and until Diggs passes a physical."

Florio previously dove into the details of the deal, which isn't as lucrative as it appears.

"It’s basically a one-year, $18.5 million deal that includes very high per-game roster bonuses," Florio wrote. "It can be $23 million, if he hits all incentives for 2025."

Diggs caught 47 passes for 496 yards and three touchdowns in eight games for the Houston Texans last season before suffering the torn ACL on Oct. 27 against the Indianapolis Colts. It was a non-contact injury that occurred while he was running a route in the third quarter.

He missed the rest of the season, but thankfully, Diggs revealed to reporters at his introductory press conference that he's ahead of schedule.

The Patriots finished third-last in the NFL in scoring last season, and no player on last year's squad finished with 70 or more receptions or 700 or more receiving yards.

Needless to say, the Pats need someone who can emerge as a No. 1 wide receiver for quarterback Drake Maye, who showed much promise in his 2024 rookie season.

That could very well be Diggs, who had six straight 1,000-yard seasons from 2018-2023 and was on pace for No. 7 before suffering the ACL injury.

Understandably, New England has protections in its contract should another right knee ailment arise, but the Pats obviously hope that he'll remain healthy and become Maye's top option as they look to improve from last year's 4-13 season.