FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 22: New England Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo looks on before the game against the Buffalo Bills at Gillette Stadium on October 22, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The New England Patriots still have nearly $50 million in available cap space, the most in the league, but their attempts to spend it on free agents this offseason haven’t been successful. However, they still have options to make moves, particularly in the trade market. One notable player available is Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals, who plays at the position the Patriots are most in need of—wide receiver.
After failing to acquire Calvin Ridley, who chose to sign with the Tennessee Titans instead, the Patriots signed K.J. Osborn from the Minnesota Vikings, providing an improvement to their weak receiving group. However, neither Osborn nor returning starter Kendrick Bourne are true number one receivers.
The Patriots are clearly lacking a top-tier target, and Higgins, who has expressed a desire to be traded from Cincinnati after being franchise-tagged by the Bengals, could fill that role effectively. Having played behind Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase, Higgins is ready to step into a number one receiver role, making him an attractive option for teams seeking a long-term solution at the position. Bleacher Report has identified the Patriots as one of the potential suitors for Higgins as he seeks a lucrative new contract.
Tee Higgins Wants a Trade & a Contract
According to B/R’s Kristopher Knox, Tee Higgins could command a three-year contract valued at $71 million, which aligns well with the Patriots’ current cap situation. Knox highlights that while Higgins has primarily played as the No. 2 receiver in Cincinnati, he has demonstrated the potential to be a No. 1 receiver elsewhere. Despite sharing targets with Ja’Marr Chase, the 25-year-old has recorded 1,000-yard seasons in both 2021 and 2022.
Jerod Mayo, the head coach of the New England Patriots, has expressed openness to acquiring receiver help via trade, stating, “One hundred percent. We’re still open on the trade market,” in response to reporters’ questions.
Spotrac predicts that Higgins could command a four-year contract worth $74 million in the upcoming offseason. If the Bengals opt not to re-sign him, this projected deal could be seen as a bargain once he moves out from behind Chase’s shadow.
Patriots Could Reshape Their Offense
Securing Tee Higgins from the Bengals would likely demand a package akin to what the Eagles offered for A.J. Brown in 2022—a first- and third-round pick—although Higgins is perceived as a notch below Brown’s caliber.
With the Patriots holding the No. 3 pick in this year’s draft, it’s improbable they’d part with that for Higgins. Instead, they might consider offering their second-round pick (No. 34 overall) along with a third-rounder this year, or potentially a pick in 2025. While this represents a significant investment, it underscores the urgency of the Patriots’ need for a receiver, especially considering Higgins’ talent.
Despite facing injury setbacks in 2023, Higgins, at just 25 years old, maintained an impressive average of 15.6 yards per reception across 12 games.
The quarterback situation for the Patriots remains uncertain, as they weigh whether to draft a quarterback at No. 3 or pursue other options. Currently, Jacoby Brissett and Bailey Zappe are in contention for the position, but it would be futile to assemble a strong receiving corps including Higgins, Osborn, Bourne, and Pop Douglas if Brissett ends up as the starter.
Nevertheless, the priority should be securing Higgins if the opportunity arises, with quarterback decisions to be addressed subsequently.
