What's up everybody? Welcome into the next Pat's podcast. I'm Phil Perry so much to get to on today's podcast. We are reacting to the Stefan Diggs release and what the Patriots will do moving forward. Why, in my opinion, this was the right move. But now the Patriots have to act and have to act aggressively. We'll get to some details. We're also talking team building with two of our favorites from the Check the Mic podcast and the 33rd team, Steve Palatzolo and Sam Monson. We're actually talking to them separately. We wanted to get their separate takes. Those guys are attached to the hip, it feels like, and you can hear all their combined takes on their podcast. So we bring them on to ours. We have separate one-on-one conversations. They're both tremendous. They both have fresh ideas for the Patriots as they embark on the new league year and the start of free agency. We actually talked to them in Indianapolis. So you're going to hear us talk about things like,

what should the Patriots do with Stefan Diggs? And I think the insight that these guys share with

us is still something that is worthy of your attention. So we're going to get those entire

conversations. We're going to hear from Steve Palatzolo. For example, describe what the Patriots should do if and when they part with Stefan Dix. He's going to give you one draft name that he really loves and he and I are of a similar mind when it comes to that. You're going to hear Sam Monson talk about Christian Gonzalez. Boy, massive trade in the NFL. You just saw Trent McDuffie go from Kansas City to L.A. for a huge, huge hall. That made anybody think that maybe just maybe the Patriots should think about dealing their own top defensive back? I am not one of those. I believe the Patriots should sign Christian Gonzalez and keep him here long term. It's exactly what you want. You drafted the

guy. He's played great. You should be trying to keep him here for the long haul. But what does

Sam Monson think? So some great, great discussions there with two really, really bright guys. But first,

let's start with our reaction to the Stefan Diggs release. In my opinion, this is the right move.

And I'll tell you why. After having spoken to a number of different evaluators in Indianapolis,

executives, scouts, coaches, the consensus was that Diggs would not be back

on the salary that he was set to make in 2026.

And when you have these conversations, does the cap come up?

Yes, it comes up. To me, cash is the more

significant number. He was set to make over $20 million, almost $21 million in base salary. And that's

not an exorbitant number for a guy who just gave you a thousand yard season. The market has changed.

$20 million, excuse me, doesn't buy you what it used to.

And so at that position in 2026, 20 million for a guy that you're going to depend on to move the chains for you, not the worst thing in the world.

But he's about to be 33 years old and as one general manager told me, he's a one-year guy at this stage of his career.

It doesn't mean he couldn't still have something stage of his career. Doesn't mean he couldn't

still have something left in the tank. Doesn't mean he won't go somewhere next year and be productive,

but he's the kind of guy you bring in to help get your program off the ground and you lean on him

and you get to wherever you get to with him and you hope it goes great. And it went as well as it could have gone for the New England Patriots, in my opinion, in 2025 with Diggs. But you don't build around him. You don't make him a foundational piece because of where he's at in his career. And quite frankly, the Patriots need to upgrade there. As good as his numbers were. He disappeared in the postseason, didn't crack 40 yards

in any of their four postseason games. And you need someone for Drake May who can uncover

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