Stefon Diggs is no longer just a football story.
The former wide receiver, a four-time Pro Bowler who spent last season with the New England Patriots, is now at the center of a criminal trial that has drawn considerable attention far beyond the sports world. On May 4, 2026, jury selection was completed at Norfolk County District Court in Massachusetts, and proceedings got underway in a case that carries serious legal consequences for the NFL veteran.
Diggs has pleaded not guilty to felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault and battery. The charges stem from an alleged confrontation at his Dedham home on December 2, 2025, involving Jamila Mila Adams, the private chef who lived and worked in his household at the time.
A Dispute Over Wages Turns Ugly
Prosecutors laid out their case on the first day of trial, with Adams taking the stand to describe what she says happened that December night. Her account centered on a confrontation that began over unpaid wages — a financial dispute that she says escalated rapidly and turned physical.
Adams told the court that Diggs struck her across the face and attempted to choke her using his elbow, leaving her struggling to breathe. The testimony was detailed and direct, painting a picture of a heated altercation that went well beyond a verbal disagreement.
The defense pushed back firmly, presenting a lengthy counter-argument that challenged the credibility of Adams’ account. Defense attorneys pointed to a lack of physical evidence and raised questions about her motivations, noting that she did not report the incident to police until after she had been let go from her position. The timing of the report, the defense suggested, was not incidental.
Private Details and a Complicated Dynamic
Further testimony from Adams revealed additional layers to the relationship between her and Diggs. The confrontation, she said, was also tied to a message she had sent that disclosed private details about an intimate relationship Diggs had with another employee in his household. That line of questioning drew objections in court, prompting prosecutors to redirect their approach.
Adams had been earning $2,000 per week in her role as Diggs’ live-in chef, managing his diet and preparing meals for him and others in the home. The arrangement placed her in close proximity to the athlete on a daily basis, a dynamic that added complexity to both the alleged incident and the legal proceedings that followed.
Diggs arrived at court without addressing reporters, keeping a low profile as the trial got underway.
A Career Now Shadowed by Controversy
Before this trial, Diggs was best known for what he accomplished on the field. Drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2015, he went on to have standout stints with the Buffalo Bills and the Houston Texans before signing a three-year, $69 million deal with the Patriots. Last season he recorded 85 catches for 1,013 receiving yards and four touchdowns — his seventh season eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark, a benchmark that speaks to his consistency as a top-tier pass catcher.
The Patriots released Diggs in March 2026. He departed with a farewell to the organization that was warm in tone, and he currently remains a free agent. Whether any team moves to sign him while the trial plays out is a question the league will be watching closely.
What Comes Next
The trial is expected to continue in the coming days as both sides present their full cases. For Diggs, the stakes extend well beyond the courtroom — a conviction on the felony strangulation charge would carry lasting consequences for both his freedom and any remaining prospects in the NFL.
The case also arrives at a moment when scrutiny of athlete conduct off the field has never been more intense. How the league, potential suitors and the public respond to the outcome will say as much about the current climate in professional sports as it does about Diggs himself.
