Patriots Secure Contract Protections for Stefon Diggs Amid ACL Rehab

As previously mentioned, the Stefon Diggs contract is not quite what it initially appeared to be, which is not entirely unexpected given the evolving nature of contract negotiations in today's NFL. However, one specific detail in his deal stands out and is worth noting. According to a reliable source with direct knowledge of the contract’s terms, the New England Patriots have included a broad protective clause regarding Diggs's rehabilitation from the torn ACL he suffered during the 2024 season. This clause offers the team significant safeguards in case of a setback during Diggs’s recovery process.

The contract contains a specific waiver related to Diggs’s right knee. It states that any injury sustained during his services under this contract, which in the sole opinion of the team’s physician is in any way connected to the deterioration, aggravation, or re-injury of his pre-existing knee injury, will not be covered by the guaranteed portion of the contract. The clause explicitly states that if such an injury occurs, the team’s physician’s decision will be final and binding, effectively leaving the Patriots free from any financial obligation regarding those guarantees.

Moreover, the Patriots have the exclusive right to terminate Diggs’s contract due to the pre-existing knee injury, but this option is contingent on whether Diggs passes a physical examination. Until that physical is successfully cleared, the Patriots are not on the hook for any guaranteed money in his deal. This means that, until Diggs passes that crucial physical, he will not receive any of the guaranteed portions of his contract. In addition, if Diggs experiences any re-injury or aggravation of his ACL during the rehab process, the Patriots can void the contract altogether and walk away without paying him any of the guaranteed money that would otherwise be owed to him.

While it is not entirely unusual for NFL contracts to contain provisions regarding pre-existing injuries, this specific clause in Diggs’s contract is considered to be somewhat uncommon. For context, a similar term was incorporated into quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo’s 2023 contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. Garoppolo’s deal included specific protections addressing a pre-existing foot injury, which became a point of contention during his physical examination when he first joined the team.

For the Patriots and Stefon Diggs, the financial obligations are very clear at this point. Until Diggs clears a physical, the team is under no obligation to honor any of the guaranteed money in his contract. Additionally, should any complications arise during his rehab process, such as a re-tear of the ACL or any other issues related to the knee, the Patriots would have the option to sever ties with Diggs without incurring any financial penalties. This clause is a strategic move by the Patriots to protect themselves against potential long-term risks associated with Diggs’s injury while also giving them flexibility if the worst-case scenario arises during his recovery.

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