Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins will become a free agent at the end of the season, and a recent report by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler suggests the former second-round pick will find a new home on the open market. Entering the league alongside quarterback Joe Burrow, the Clemson product established himself as one of the league’s more reliable perimeter threats throughout his career. The wideout recorded 67 receptions for 908 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie before posting consecutive 1,000-yard seasons paired with superstar wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.
This report doesn’t come as a surprise, as the writing has been on the wall for years now. The Bengals don’t have the cap space to give Burrow, Chase, and Higgins long-term deals, and Higgins is the least valuable of the three. Injuries limited the wide receiver to just 17 games over the past two seasons, and his inability to stay on the field could impact his free agent market. However, assuming he has no long-term health risks, a team like the New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, or Los Angeles Chargers could go after him.
Tee Higgins Expected to Leave In Free Agency – 3 Suitors Emerge
The New England Patriots have their franchise quarterback in third-overall pick Drake Maye. After starting the season on the bench, the UNC product took over for Jacoby Brissett and never looked back. Playing behind the worst offensive line in football with one of the weakest supporting casts, the rookie has completed 64.7% of his passes for 954 yards, seven touchdowns, and five interceptions while adding another 233 yards and a score on the ground. While he puts the ball in harm’s way more than you’d like, it’s easy to see that the future is bright for the 22-year-old.
Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte showed some promise early in the season, but this team needs a player like Higgins on the roster. Maye is at his best pushing the ball downfield and aggressively attacking a defense, which makes Higgins a perfect fit for this aerial attack. Armed with over $130 million in projected cap space, New England has the financial security to pay Tee Higgins while still landing a big-name free agent on the offensive line. The Patriots have their quarterback, now it’s time to build a team around him.
Other Fits
The Carolina Panthers have the makings of something good in first-round pick Xavier Legette and undrafted free agent Jalen Coker. While neither player should get suited for a gold vest any time soon, both rookies have provided the Panthers with a much-needed spark in the passing game. These two will be under team control for years, but the Panthers could use another veteran free agent like Tee Higgins for their next quarterback. With Higgins and Legette on the outside and Coker in the slot, Carolina’s next passer will have three reliable options every time they drop back to pass.
After injuries slowed him down early in the season, Justin Herbert is back to his old self and playing like one of the best quarterbacks in football. The former first-round pick is making it work despite second-round pick Ladd McConkey and first-round pick Quentin Johnston being the only semi-reliable receivers on the offense. Head coach Jim Harbaugh wants to build around the ground game, but going after a free agent like Tee Higgins could be too good to ignore. A natural fit for the Mike Williams role, Higgins should immediately develop chemistry with Herbert and become a perennial 1,000-yard receiver.
Main Photo: Cara Owsley – USA Today Sports
