Stefon Diggs found not guilty in assault case: What does it mean for his NFL future

A Massachusetts jury cleared Stefon Diggs of all charges on Tuesday, bringing a swift end to a case that had followed the veteran receiver for months. Jurors took roughly 90 minutes to reach a verdict in Dedham, Massachusetts, finding him not guilty on both strangulation and assault and battery counts. The case, centered on allegations made by his former private chef, raised serious questions but ultimately came down to evidence the jury did not find convincing.The case hinged on claims made by Jamila “Mila” Adams, who told the court that an argument inside Diggs’ home in December 2025 turned physical. “He smacked me with an open hand,” she testified, adding that she later struggled to breathe when he allegedly wrapped an arm around her neck. The trial, held at Norfolk County District Court, lasted two days and focused heavily on her account of that night.But prosecutors faced a difficult path. Adams reported the incident weeks later, and no medical records, photos, or video evidence were presented to support her claims. During cross-examination, the defense highlighted those gaps and questioned inconsistencies in her statements. They also introduced footage showing Adams socializing in New York shortly after the alleged incident.Diggs’ legal team leaned on that absence of physical proof from the start. In opening statements, his attorney maintained he had done nothing wrong. After the verdict, a representative reiterated that stance, saying, "No assault ever occurred."“Domestic violence is a very, very serious issue in this country and it’s disconcerting when people use it as a sword and manufacture claims in an attempt to extract money," Shuster said. "I believe the jury saw through that today and we are very, very pleased with this result.Judge Jeanmarie Carroll acknowledged the process, telling jurors, “The court is grateful for the seriousness and integrity with which you have carried out your responsibilities.” It was a brief but telling moment after a case built on conflicting narratives rather than concrete evidence.While the legal outcome brings clarity, Stefon Diggs’ football future remains unsettled. The 32-year-old is currently unsigned after being released by the New England Patriots in March, a move that cleared significant salary cap space. Before that, he had signed a three-year deal and delivered a strong season, leading the team in receptions and yardage despite working back from a serious knee injury.His attorney, Mitchell Shuster, suggested the case had broader implications, calling it "an attempt to extract money" and adding, “Domestic violence is a very, very serious issue in this country and it’s disconcerting when people use it as a sword and manufacture claims in an attempt to extract money." He went further, saying, “I’m thankful for someone like Stefon Diggs who insisted that he would get his day in court so that his truth could be heard – and it was heard. No assault ever occurred.”Diggs himself left the courthouse without speaking, slipping into a waiting vehicle as the attention lingered. For now, the legal cloud has lifted. What comes next will likely be decided not in a courtroom, but in front offices across the league.