As expected, the Patriots will be a main suitor for the top free agent wideout. According to Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post, the organization is focused on signing wide receiver Tee Higgins.
[RELATED: Patriots To Be “Heavily Involved” In Tee Higgins Pursuit]
La Canfora spoke to multiple executives about Higgins’ impending free agency, with one GM stating that the Patriots “really want this guy.” The organization has continually been connected to the Bengals star wideout as they look to surround quarterback Drake Maye with as much talent as possible. Back in December, we heard New England would be “heavily involved” in the sweepstakes, and this latest report indicates that Robert Kraft will be willing to open the checkbook.
As one executive told La Canfora, the Patriots owner “rightfully” took plenty of grief for his recent lack of spending, and there’s a belief Kraft will look to right his wrongs via Higgins. With a league-leading ~$131MM in projected cap room, the Patriots should have more than enough wiggle room to make a big splash. For what it’s worth, the organization was a main participant in last offseason’s Calvin Ridley sweepstakes, so the Patriots have already shown a willingness to spend at the position.
Many of the executives polled by La Canfora opined that Higgins will ultimately land a contract that pays him more than $30MM per season. This doesn’t come as a huge surprise considering five WRs (Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, A.J. Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Brandon Aiyuk) joined Tyreek Hill at that AAV mark last year. That would also surely be out of the price range for the Bengals, who still have to navigate the upcoming Ja’Marr Chase extension.
There are fair reasons to question Higgins’ standing as a WR1 and/or one of the highest-paid players at his position. However, beggars can’t be choosers, and his spot in the free agent hierarchy means a bidding war should help him eclipse that $30MM AAV mark.
Just give him 35 and be done with it
Draft someone better
Pats certainly have other needs to address but they’re really empty at WR so paying Higgins, doubling down and drafting McMillan from Arizona then grabbing an O-lineman at the top of the second round would be my thought process. Surround Maye with some weapons and try to build around him as quickly as possible to get a fair evaluation if he really is the long term solution at QB.
He’s really good and they’ve got a ton of money. He’ll be a Patriot.
So doesn’t Washington who’s 10x better the the pats right now the only way pats will get a good wr is trade don’t be surprised if someone like AJ Green is available I could see them end up with him or CK then signing someone like Hopkins, H.Brown or someone along this lines
Whatever you think Higgins is worth, receivers as good as him as young as him don’t hit free agency. New England has a huge need and a huge amount of cap space. Makes sense.
For 30MIL? I’d play anywhere.
Carolina Panthers make a splash pls he is a dude!