Stefon Diggs can finally breathe a sigh of relief. The four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver was found not guilty Tuesday on charges of assaulting his personal chef, clearing a major hurdle for his return to the NFL. But while the courtroom drama is over, the league office may have the final say.
The charges stemmed from a December 2 incident at Diggs' Massachusetts home, where Jamila Adams, his former live-in chef, alleged that Diggs slapped and choked her during an argument. Diggs pleaded not guilty to felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault and battery charges. After less than two hours of deliberation, the jury sided with Diggs, delivering a swift verdict that his legal team called a vindication.
"The evidence has shown what we've maintained from day one: Mr. Diggs was wrongly accused, and this case represents exactly the kind of opportunistic targeting that players can face the moment they step off the field," said Diggs' attorney, Mitch Schuster.
Diggs spent last season with the New England Patriots, hauling in a team-leading 85 catches for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns. He was the go-to target for rookie quarterback Drake Maye and helped the Patriots reach the Super Bowl, where they fell to Seattle. Despite those numbers, Diggs was released in March and remains a free agent—but that could change quickly now that the legal cloud has lifted.
However, the NFL isn't done yet. League spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed Tuesday that the league is "monitoring all developments in the matter, which remains under review of the personal conduct policy." That means a suspension could still be on the table, even without a criminal conviction.
It wouldn't be the first time. The NFL has a history of handing down discipline under its personal conduct policy for off-field incidents, regardless of legal outcomes. Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was suspended six games in 2010 following sexual assault accusations, later reduced to four on appeal. Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston received a three-game suspension in 2018 after a sexual assault allegation. And Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott sat out six games in 2017 following a league investigation into domestic violence allegations—a suspension upheld by an arbitrator.
For Diggs, the path forward is clear but not guaranteed. His acquittal removes the biggest obstacle to signing with a new team, but the NFL's shadow looms large. With his proven ability to be a WR1—evidenced by his 1,000-yard season in New England—teams will be watching closely. The next few weeks could determine whether Diggs returns to the field in 2024 or waits out a potential league sanction.