New England Patriots

"I did have a small piece of me be like, 'damn, it would be great to come home and play.'"

Stefon Diggs grew up in Gaithersburg, Maryland, which is a suburb of Washington D.C.

He stayed in-state for college. He played football at the University of Maryland. He still lives in Maryland and spends “extended periods of time there.”

Diggs has spent 11 seasons in the NFL and has played for four different franchises, including the Patriots. But, he has never played for his hometown Washington Commanders.

After the Patriots cut Diggs this spring, there has been speculation that Diggs could wind up in Washington. He was asked about his interest in the Commanders during an interview with D.C.-based TV station Fox 5.

“I never realized how many fans it was back home until I was a free-agent and people were like, ‘alright, are you going to come back home?’ Especially when they see me back home.”

“I’ve been living here my whole life. I’ve been living here for 10 years and they were just like, ‘oh we never see you’. I was like ‘man, y’all wasn’t looking’. It’s a lot of hopes. We’re kind of figuring out, working through some things. I did have a small piece of me be like, ‘damn, it would be great to come home and play.'”

Diggs said he hopes things work out with the Commanders, but also added that he’s open to opportunities.

The 32-year-old wide receiver has been a free-agent since New England released him in March. He was acquitted in a legal case that involved assault and strangulation charges. The NFL said it didn’t find enough evidence to discipline him under the league’s personal conduct policy.

“They do a very thorough process. I completely tip my hat to them,” Diggs said. “I completely understand as far as the process that they have. The NFL does a great job of protecting the brand, protecting what they what they represent. It’s an amazing organization and it was a blessing to be a part of it in its totality.”

“Being able to play football, it’s just always a blessing. I never want to make anybody feel like I take that blessing for granted. I remain grateful, remain humble, and I was just happy that it worked out for me.”

With the legal case behind him and training camp approaching next month, Diggs is looking for a new team. He said the Commanders have been on his mind.

“One hundred percent. That’s one of the first things I thought about, like ‘damn, I want to come home and play for my hometown team,'” Diggs said. “I had that same kind of energy when I chose to go to University of Maryland. It would be a thing. It would definitely be a thing if that kind of worked out. So, we’ll see. We’re not ruling it out.”

Diggs said he’s “close” to settling on a landing spot. He’s still weighing his options.

“It’s going to happen soon,” Diggs said. “But, I just want it to be the right decision at the right time and going somewhere where its a good organization with good coaches and good players. I’m not saying that none of places are bad or nothing, but I just want the next place to be the best.”