CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell released ideal landing spots for the top 10 remaining free agents. It had New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs for the Minnesota Vikings. The 32-year-old wideout is one of the few on the market probably because of his legal trouble. If his legal troubles are resolved, a homecoming in Minnesota could be expected.Kyler Murray, who was released from the Arizona Cardinals and signed on a one-year contract by the Vikings, may need high-caliber wideouts on the gridiron. Two are already there: Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Diggs could be the third playmaker either for a new QB or J.J. McCarthy. Murray and McCarthy may compete for the starting role.
NFL Trade Rumors: Kyler Murray’s Vikings tied to Patriots WR Stefon Diggs
Diggs was drafted by Minnesota in 2015 as the 146th overall pick in the fifth round. He played five seasons for them. He was traded to the Buffalo Bills in 2020. He played four seasons for Buffalo. Then a year for the Houston Texans. In 2025, he played for New England.Over 11 years, he has played with several quarterbacks: Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Bradford, Case Keenum, and Kirk Cousins in the Vikings. With Josh Allen in the Bills and CJ Stroud in the Texans. And then with Drake Maye in the Patriots.This time, if he returns to his parent franchise, he will play with 28-year-old Kyler Murray or 23-year-old J.J. McCarthy. Both the QBs missed games in 2025: McCarthy missed five, while Murray played only in five.The QB situation may not be as favorable as Diggs had in New England, but there is a coach [Kevin O’Connell] who wants to lead the team into the NFL playoffs after two postseason appearances in four seasons. And that’s where the veteran WR comes into the picture. He has had multiple postseason appearances [18 games, according to StatMuse].The wideout has not played under O’Connell, but his elite route-running, high football IQ, and ability to play with young quarterbacks and mentor younger players may align with O’Connell’s offense.
Minnesota needs WR3 after Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison
Also, CBS Sports analyst reports that the WR3 spot is open after Jalen Nailor left for the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. WR1 is 2022 NFL OPOY Justin Jefferson, and WR2 is former first-round pick Jordan Addison.Jefferson had 84 catches on 140 targets for 1,048 yards and two touchdowns. His overall PFF grade was 80.5, ranking 14th among 81 WRs in 2025.As for Addison, he amassed 42 receptions on 74 targets for 610 receiving yards and three touchdowns. His overall PFF grade was 64.9, which ranked him 60th among 81 qualified WRs. If Diggs comes back home, maybe he could take up the WR2 spot, and Addison could go for the WR3 spot [all speculation, based solely on 2025 stats]. Anyhow, there could be a potential roadblock to Diggs’ homecoming: his legal battle.
New England WR Stefon Diggs’ legal trouble since 2025 season
The 32-year-old wideout has pleaded not guilty to felony charges of strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor charges of assault and battery following an alleged altercation with his personal chef at his Massachusetts home.His attorney denies the allegations, calling them a dispute over money. His attorney, Mitchell Schuster, claims his client is completely innocent. This legal trouble came in Dec. 2025. He played in the Super Bowl LX in Feb. 2026.Diggs was a crucial part of the 2025 AFC champions [New England Patriots]. His 2025 gridiron success is even talked about in the 2026 offseason: 85 receptions on 100 targets for 1,013 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 17 games. His PFF overall grade was 87.5, which ranked 6th among 81 qualified wide receivers. As per CBS Sports Research, Diggs’ 83.3% catch rate is the second-highest catch rate by a wide receiver in the past 45 seasons. The first highest is of former New Orleans Saints WR Michael Thomas, whose catch rate was 85% in 2018.
Can the Vikings accommodate their drafted player?
According to Spotrac, the Maryland alum is projected to sign a two-year, $27M deal, giving him an average annual salary of $13.8M. According to Over The Cap, the Vikings have $4.8M in cap space.The team restructured wide receiver Justin Jefferson, left tackle Christian Darrisaw, and cornerback Bryon Murphy Jr.’s contracts to clear salary cap space for 2026. They may have about $12.5M in cap space after June 1.If his legal battle does not interfere and he remains available, the Vikings and the 32-year-old WR could agree to terms. Adam Thielen was welcomed back last year for a second stint; would Minnesota welcome Diggs too? Remains to be seen…
