The biggest wide receiver name set to hit the free agent market this offseason is Tee Higgins, and there’s no shortage of teams ready to make a run at him. Ranked as the No. 1 free agent in PFSN’s Top 100, Higgins is expected to demand a massive contract predicted to be upwards of $30 million after spending his first five seasons in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Cincinnati Bengals Have Crucial Decision To Make Regarding Tee Higgins
Since being drafted No. 33 overall by the Bengals in 2020, Higgins has played exceptionally well, totaling 4,595 receiving yards (18th in the NFL during that span) despite spending most of his career as the No. 2 option behind Ja’Marr Chase.
Higgins has consistently been one of the most efficient pass catchers in football, ranking 10th among receivers in success rate (59.8%) and 13th in touchdowns. Although his 2024 season was shortened because of an injury, he still put up amazing numbers — scoring 10 touchdowns in just 12 games while posting a career-low drop rate (2.8%).
But the biggest question now is will the Bengals keep Higgins or allocate their budget elsewhere?
Higgins’ future remains uncertain, and The Athletic’s Dianna Russini shed some light on the Bengals’ thought process. She cited a 10-step plan from Paul Dehner Jr. outlining how Cincinnati can return to Super Bowl contention, noting that “in a vacuum, moving on from Higgins is the correct football move.”
However, quarterback Joe Burrow has reportedly been lobbying for Higgins to stay, and with a roster that lacks elite weapons outside of Chase, re-signing him remains a top priority.
If the Bengals and Higgins fail to reach a deal, multiple teams are ready to pounce. According to Russini, four teams are expected to be aggressive bidders for Higgins’ talents, as each franchise would greatly benefit from adding a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver to their offense.
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots had the worst passing offenses in the NFL last season, and fixing that issue is a top priority for new head coach Mike Vrabel. The Patriots’ young quarterback, Drake Maye, who recently told PFSN that he supports the new coaching hire, will need a reliable playmaker to throw the ball to, and Higgins fits the bill.
The Patriots also have a massive financial advantage, as they currently lead the NFL in available cap space with $119.8 million. If they want Higgins, they can easily outbid the competition.
Carolina Panthers
After two turbulent seasons with Bryce Young, the Carolina Panthers must get their former No. 1 overall pick more help. Carolina’s lack of pass-catching talent was a major issue, and adding Higgins would instantly give Young a proven No. 1 target to aid his development.
The Panthers sit closer to the middle of the pack in cap space with $20.6 million, meaning they’ll need to be strategic with how they structure a potential contract. However, given their desperate need for a WR1, they could find a way to make it work.
Washington Commanders
In just his first season, quarterback Jayden Daniels proved he can be the Washington Commanders franchise quarterback. Now it’s up to them to surround him with the right talent.
Pairing Higgins with Terry McLaurin would give Washington one of the most dangerous receiving duos in the NFL. Owner Josh Harris has already shown a willingness to spend, and with $75.2 million in cap space (third-most in the NFL), Washington has both the resources and the incentive to make a strong push for Higgins.
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are looking ahead to a seemingly bright future, and Higgins would make it even brighter. Denver sits near the middle of the league in cap space with $34.7 million, meaning they’d have to get creative with their contract structure, but if Sean Payton believes Higgins is the missing piece, expect them to be aggressive in securing a top receiver for their young quarterback, Bo Nix.
The Bengals still have time to work out an extension, but if Higgins hits the open market, a bidding war is expected. Will Cincinnati make a strong enough offer to keep him, or will a new team land one of the NFL’s top receivers?
