The first major move of the offseason started directly from the San Francisco 49ers who traded Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders weeks before free agency opened. He had been on the trading block for some time and that move set into action another active offseason across the league. Niners general manager John Lynch was vocal at the NFL Scouting Combine about the team’s need to cutback on bigger contracts moving forward. Those comments hinted some feelings about the wide receiver position and those turned out to be true.

With Samuel out of the picture, some wondered if there was a timer on Brandon Aiyuk’s tenure in the Bay Area as well. That has not become clear just yet. But in floating out some potential replacements in the event of a trade, several veteran receivers remain available for San Francisco to choose from. Former Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans receiver Stefon Diggs hallmarked that light speculation, until now.

Diggs has signed with the New England Patriots, inking a three-year, $69 million deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The veteran chooses the former AFC power, likely to play a significant role in the team’s offense given their limited options at wide receiver and the need for weapons around Drake Maye.

His services perhaps would have been in more demand at the start of free agency, but Diggs is recovering from an ACL tear suffered in Week 8 of the 2024 season. The Patriots pushed to sign Chris Godwin at the start of free agency before falling short in that pursuit. New England signed Mack Hollins at the onset of the free agency period.

As for the Niners, Diggs’ decision does not change much besides dwindling down the options of any potential veteran receiver they wish to pursue. Assuming they stick with Aiyuk as the No. 1, it appears they are confident in the tandem of Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings behind him.