Erstwhile New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs has been found not guilty of felony strangulation and misdemeanour assault charges following a two-day trial in Massachusetts tied to allegations made by his former private chef.

A jury in Dedham District Court returned not guilty verdicts on Tuesday after approximately 90 minutes of deliberation, ending a case that had hovered over Diggs since his December arrest and subsequent Super Bowl debut.

The allegations stemmed from a dispute between Diggs and former live-in chef Jamila Adams, who accused the four-time Pro Bowl receiver of slapping and choking her during an argument at his home in Dedham on December 2nd, 2025. Prosecutors alleged Diggs placed Adams in a headlock during the altercation, but the NFL veteran consistently denied the accusations throughout the process.

His legal team argued the claims were financially motivated and attacked inconsistencies in Adams’ testimony during the trial, while also presenting witnesses who reportedly saw no visible injuries following the alleged incident. According to Reuters, Adams had worked for Diggs since July 2025 on a salary of $2,000 per week, with the dispute allegedly centring on unpaid wages and tensions surrounding a Miami trip she was not invited to attend.

The case became one of the NFL’s most closely watched off-field storylines over the past five months, particularly given Diggs’ standing within the league and the timing of the original proceedings. His arraignment was initially scheduled for January, but was postponed until after Super Bowl LX, where New England eventually fell to the Seattle Seahawks. The receiver — who has also played for Minnesota, Buffalo and Houston in an 11-year career — had signed a three-season, $63.5m deal with the Patriots before the 2025 season and remained productive on the field despite the legal uncertainty, posting 1,013 receiving yards and four touchdowns across 17 games. He was released in March as part of a broader roster and salary cap reshuffle, leaving the Maryland alum on the free-agent market entering the offseason.

The not guilty verdict is now expected to reignite interest around the league in one of the NFL’s most accomplished, and available, receivers. Diggs ranks among the most productive wideouts of his era, compiling 942 receptions, 11,504 receiving yards and 74 touchdowns. However, while the acquittal removes the immediate criminal jeopardy surrounding Diggs, questions may still remain over whether the NFL conducts any further review under its personal conduct policy.