There is a strong chance the Cincinnati Bengals will lose one of quarterback Joe Burrow’s favorite weapons this offseason: wide receiver Tee Higgins.
Keeping the “Big Three” of Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Higgins together is wishful thinking. This is because it’s near impossible for Higgins to ink the contract he deserves in Cincinnati. Burrow is one of the highest-paid QBs in the NFL ($275 million), and the receiving triple-crown winner, Chase, is anticipated to sign a record-breaking deal.
Higgins has the talent to play as the No. 1 receiving option, recording 73 receptions for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns in the 2024 season. So where should the 25-year-old sign in free agency?
NFL Analyst Predicts Surprise Destination for Tee Higgins
The New England Patriots are the rumored frontrunner to acquire Higgins this summer, as rookie quarterback Drake Maye desperately needs a strong receiving threat.
However, another organization could use his play after finding their franchise QB late this season. NFL analyst Matt Holder of Bleacher Report predicted the Carolina Panthers would go after Higgins as their top free-agent target.
“Especially if [Adam] Thielen gets cut, adding a young No. 1 receiver for [Bryce] Young should be one of Carolina’s top priorities in free agency,” Holder wrote. “Higgins will be one of the best wideouts on the open market with 330 receptions for 4,595 yards and 34 career touchdowns in his five-year career.”
The Panthers’ current wide receiver group consists of Thielen, Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker, and David Moore. This should make it obvious why the Panthers would be willing to offer Higgins a lucrative contract.
The start to Young’s career has been far from ideal, but after returning from the bench, he showed flashes of a superstar QB. Chances are Carolina is committing to the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, mainly due to his final three performances of the regular season.
“The soon-to-be 26-year-old will be looking for two things this spring: a lucrative contract and an opportunity to be a top target after playing second fiddle to Ja’Marr Chase. With some financial maneuvering, the Panthers can provide the wideout with both,” Holder concluded.
Panthers Must Still Outbid New England
Just because the Panthers express interest in Higgins doesn’t mean he feels the same toward Carolina. The Patriots are home to a young, promising QB while also having the No. 4 pick in this year’s NFL Draft and strong pieces on defense.
Bleacher Report also named Higgins the Patriots’ top free agent target, as Matt Ballentine wrote: “This offseason is all about putting a real supporting cast around Drake Maye.
Tee Higgins will be the best weapon on the market if the Bengals cannot reach an agreement with him. It’s a no-brainer for the Patriots to put the full-court press on to bring Higgins into the fold.”
It truly comes down to preference for Higgins, as both the Panthers and Patriots can offer his desired contract and role.