The wait may soon be over for Stefon Diggs. After months of free-agent limbo, the veteran wide receiver is reportedly on the verge of landing with the Washington Commanders, a move that could reshape the team's receiving corps for the 2026 NFL season.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Commanders and Diggs have engaged in deep discussions, with mutual interest in getting a deal done. "Expectations around the league is Diggs ends up in Washington soon," Schultz said. While the terms of the agreement remain unclear, the buzz around the league is that it's only a matter of time before the two-time All-Pro dons a Washington uniform.
Diggs spent the 2025 campaign with the New England Patriots, where he was a key contributor to their AFC East title run. He hauled in 85 catches for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns, forming a strong bond with quarterback Drake Maye. However, the Patriots released him at the start of the new league year, primarily for salary-cap relief. Had he remained on the roster past a certain date in March, an additional $6 million of his contract would have become guaranteed.
Now, Diggs appears ready to bring his talents to the nation's capital. The Commanders have been on the hunt for another playmaker to complement their offense, and Diggs fits the bill. His arrival would give quarterback Jayden Daniels a proven veteran target who can move the chains and stretch the field.
But this potential signing could have ripple effects, particularly for Brandon Aiyuk. The San Francisco 49ers wideout has openly expressed a desire to reunite with Daniels, his former college teammate, in Washington. Aiyuk has been on the trade block, but his market has been complicated by injury and contract issues. He hasn't played since suffering a torn ACL in October 2024, and the 49ers voided $27 million in guarantees from his deal during the 2025 season after he failed to meet certain requirements.
49ers general manager John Lynch recently addressed Aiyuk's status, saying, "Brandon is on a left squad designation. As such, he's not on our 90-man roster. And I'm personally and we as an organization are going to focus on the players that are here. And so, I don't have anything to say on that, anything to add to that. We wish him well. We wish his family well."
If the Commanders seal the deal with Diggs, they'd likely cross off their need for another wideout, potentially closing the door on a trade for Aiyuk. That would leave the 49ers to explore other options for the disgruntled receiver.
For Diggs, this move represents a fresh start after a solid but understated season in New England. He's proven he can still produce at a high level, and joining a young, ascending team like Washington could be the perfect setting for a late-career resurgence. The Commanders, meanwhile, would be adding a proven playmaker to a roster that's already generating significant interest from multiple teams in their offseason moves.
The Commanders have also been busy off the field, recently bringing back legends like Riggins and Green for new roles, signaling a franchise that's embracing its history while building for the future. Adding Diggs would be another step in that direction.
As the NFL offseason rolls on, all eyes will be on Washington to see if they can finalize this deal. If they do, the 2026 season just got a whole lot more interesting in the NFC East.
