FOXBOROUGH — The New England Patriots didn’t wait long to find a new primary target for Drake Maye. Just days after releasing veteran Stefon Diggs, the Patriots officially signed former Packers wideout Romeo Doubs to a four-year, $68 million contract. The deal, first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, includes a maximum value of $80 million and provides Maye with a reliable, vertical threat entering his third professional season.
Replacing a Legend with a Rising Star
Moving on from a 1,000-yard producer like Diggs is never easy. However, the Patriots front office prioritized youth and route-running efficiency this spring. Doubs arrives in Foxborough coming off a career-best 724 yards and six touchdowns in 2025. While Diggs was the focal point of the offense that reached Super Bowl LX, Doubs offers a different athletic profile that fits perfectly into Josh McDaniels’ returning system. The 25-year-old receiver averaged 13.2 yards per catch last season, proving he can win at all three levels of the field.
The atmosphere at Gillette Stadium has shifted since the Super Bowl loss to Seattle. You could sense the urgency in the front office this week. They aren’t just looking for bodies; they are looking for specific fits. Doubs brings a 43.3% contested catch rate, a metric that surely caught the eye of offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. For a quarterback like Maye, who thrives on pushing the ball downfield, having a receiver who can separate at the top of the route is vital.
“We wanted a guy who wins the 1-on-1 matchups when the game is on the line. Romeo has shown that consistently. He’s a worker, he’s a technician, and he’s exactly the kind of player who helps this offense take the next step with Drake.”
— Eliot Wolf, Patriots Executive Vice President of Player Personnel
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
This signing isn’t just about replacing production; it’s about shifting the offensive identity. By pairing Doubs with DeMario “Pop” Douglas and the emerging Kyle Williams, the Patriots now have a younger, faster core that matches Drake Maye’s timeline. New England currently sits with roughly $40 million in remaining cap space after this move and the signing of guard Alijah Vera-Tucker. Expect the Patriots to remain aggressive in the secondary, specifically looking for depth behind Christian Gonzalez as they aim to return to the postseason in 2026.
