There's a decent chance the AFC Champion-New England Patriots opt to release veteran wide receiver Stefon Diggs this offseason; a move generating $20.8 million in cap space if it's applied with a post-June 1 designation.
On the other side of the country, the San Francisco 49ers are exploring their own wide receiver options, which seem awfully limited heading into the offseason.
Currently, the only two established wideouts under contract into 2026 are Ricky Pearsall, who hasn't shown yet he can stay fully healthy, and the tertiary wideout, Demarcus Robinson, whose only significant impact was felt during the Niners' Wild Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles last January. Brandon Aiyuk is as good as gone, while Jauan Jennings is a pending free agent.
True, San Francisco has been linked to other big-name receivers, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Mike Evans.
But, according to CBS Sports' Tyler Sullivan, a would-be Diggs release could catch the 49ers' attention.
Would it, though?
49ers can pass on adding Stefon Diggs (if he's made available)
Here's what Sullivan had to say about the Niners' potential interest in Diggs, should the Pats part ways with him:
"With $41.2 million in projected space, Diggs is a logical veteran target for Kyle Shanahan's offense, and the receiver does fit their win-now window as they look to compete for a Super Bowl appearance once the rest of the roster gets fully healthy. "
On the surface, it's certainly plausible. Diggs put up over 1,000 receiving yards last season and has eclipsed that plateau in seven of his last eight years, demonstrating clear consistency to contribute.
However, he's also 32 years old and certainly wouldn't jive with San Francisco's recent attempts to get younger and cheaper across the roster.
Plus, there are the concerning legal charges Diggs is facing: felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery, stemming from an alleged dispute with his former personal chef. Diggs has pleaded "not guilty" to those charges and awaits a pre-trial hearing on April 1.
Without diving into whatever outcomes surface from his off-field matters, it seems far more likely the 49ers would rather avoid that distraction altogether, especially in light of their need to have receivers who are readily available.
For different reasons, neither Aiyuk, Pearsall nor Robinson fit that mold in 2025, meaning Diggs would encompass the same kind of risk.
Probably best for the 49ers to pass here.
Hat tip to David Bonilla of 49ers Webzone for the find.