Rumors are swirling around Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Tee Higgins, and they are not good for the New England Patriots, who are looking for a playmaking wideout.
The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. wrote that the Bengals will probably use the franchise tag on the star wideout.
Higgins recorded 42 catches for 656 yards and five touchdowns last season. He also averaged 15.6 yards per reception. He missed several games over the course of the 2023 season but still managed to be productive. The wide receiver’s consistent production has led him to be a solid complementary receiver alongside Ja’Marr Chase.
It is unlikely that the Patriots will have a shot at the Clemson product, according to Dehner Jr.:
The writing is on the wall and all expectations are the Bengals will use a franchise tag on Higgins. …If the Bengals lose Higgins to free agency, there’s no guarantee they would receive that back. This would classify somewhere between negligent and reckless if the Bengals allowed this to play out. The good news for Bengals fans is it won’t. …There is zero indication from the team that Higgins will sniff free agency this year.
New England undoubtedly needs to revamp their passing game and weapons on offense. Higgins possibly not being available would not be the end of the world for the Patriots, but it would take a big target off the table.
