What happened: Mitch Schuster, attorney for former New England Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs, released a statement following Diggs' acquittal on assault charges tied to a pay dispute with his private chef. Schuster said the defense team took the allegations seriously from day one and welcomed the legal process to bring the facts to light. The statement pushed back on the notion that fame and financial success should change how such allegations are weighed.

Why it matters: The acquittal closes a legal cloud that had followed Diggs through the offseason and into his transition away from New England. For a veteran wide receiver navigating his next chapter, a not-guilty verdict removes a distraction that could have weighed on free-agent interest and team conversations heading into the 2026 NFL season. The attorney's framing also signals the defense intends to control the post-verdict narrative rather than let the allegations define Diggs.

What to watch: Watch for any civil follow-up from the chef's side and for Diggs' next public comments as the 2026 NFL offseason continues. His on-field status and team fit for the upcoming season are the next storylines to track.