Certainly, we’re well aware of the significant gap the Patriots are facing this offseason, particularly when it comes to their quarterback situation. It’s a void that needs addressing. However, it’s not just the quarterback position that’s a concern; the entire offensive side lacks depth and quality, especially at wide receiver. In fact, the need for talent at wide receiver might even surpass that of quarterback.
Although Kendrick Bourne is a solid option, he’s more suited as a secondary or tertiary receiver on a competitive team. Additionally, the Patriots have commitments to JuJu Schuster-Smith for two more years, though his performance may be hampered by injury, and DeVante Parker, who has struggled with both health and performance.
While there’s promise in rookie Demario Douglas, he’s primarily a slot receiver and lacks the stature of a dominant outside threat. What the Patriots truly require is a standout receiver, a caliber they haven’t seen since Randy Moss departed in 2010.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Patriots are honing in on addressing this need in free agency with Bengals standout Tee Higgins, who could potentially fill that void as a top-tier receiver.
Patriots Offseason Must Focus on WRs
The Bengals are likely to face challenges with their salary cap this offseason, especially concerning their wide receiver group, as Ja’Marr Chase is due for a substantial contract extension, potentially one of the most lucrative in the league. If Chase secures a deal exceeding $100 million over four years, it may force the Bengals to part ways with Tee Higgins.
This scenario presents an opportunity for the Patriots to capitalize. Regardless of their decision at quarterback—whether it’s through a trade for Justin Fields, signing Russell Wilson, or drafting Jayden Daniels—they’ll undoubtedly need to bolster their receiving corps. Higgins could emerge as the premier option on the market, assuming the Bengals allow him to test free agency.
Given the Patriots’ dire need for wide receiver talent, they should aggressively pursue all available options. With ample cap space and the possibility of drafting a quarterback with the No. 3 overall pick, the Patriots must avoid repeating the mistake of placing a new signal-caller in a situation devoid of legitimate receiving threats, as they did with Mac Jones.
Tee Higgins Could Get a Franchise Tag From Bengals
There’s a possibility that Tee Higgins could end up receiving the franchise tag from the Bengals, as predicted by PFF. This decision would make sense for the Bengals as it would allow them to retain Higgins for another season, ensuring they have him alongside Ja’Marr Chase and quarterback Joe Burrow, all hopefully in good health. Higgins faced challenges this season, missing five games and struggling when Burrow was absent from the offense.
Spotrac’s projection suggests that Higgins could command a four-year, $74 million deal in the upcoming offseason. If the Bengals opt not to re-sign him, this could turn out to be a bargain for another team once he’s no longer playing in Chase’s shadow.
PFF, ranking Higgins as the No. 4 free agent, noted that injuries affected much of his 2023 season following two consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns in 2022, with a receiving grade above 75.0. Given this, the possibility of a franchise tag seemed likely heading into the season, and with little new data to sway negotiations, it appears increasingly inevitable.
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