The Super Bowl LVIII matchup is set, which means that the ever-turning NFL calendar will be focused on free agency soon enough. March 5 is the final day that…
With the matchup for Super Bowl LVIII set, most NFL franchises are already in full offseason mode. Scouting events will begin en masse in January, leading up…
Video: Deshaun Watson Pitches Tee Higgins on Browns Contract in 2024 NFL Free Agency
Jan 27, 2024
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 23: Tee Higgins #5 of the Cincinnati Bengals in action during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on December 23, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson made a public plea Friday for wide receiver Tee Higgins to sign with the Browns in free agency.
During an appearance on Lockerverse's QB Unplugged, Watson made his pitch to the star wideout:
Bengals fans won’t like this, but #Browns QB Deshaun Watson openly advocated for the team to sign soon to be free agent WR Tee Higgins today on their podcast⬇️⬇️
Watson said the Browns want to throw the ball and are going to "pass it a lot," and added that Browns fans are going to "take care" of Higgins and show him love if he signs with them.
Also, Watson mentioned that he and Higgins have "Clemson ties," as they both attended the school, although they never played together.
Higgins was the first pick of the second round in the 2020 NFL draft, and he quickly developed into arguably the best No. 2 receiver in the NFL.
After recording 908 yards as a rookie, Higgins had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2021 and 2022 as quarterback Joe Burrow's second-favorite target behind Ja'Marr Chase.
Higgins had nearly identical years in 2021 and 2022, racking up 74 receptions for 1,091 yards and six touchdowns, followed by 74 catches for 1,029 yards and seven scores.
This season was the most trying year of Higgins' NFL career thus far, as he missed five games due to injury and was limited in others. Also, Burrow missed the team's final seven games.
That resulted in Higgins setting career lows across the board with 42 receptions for 656 yards and five touchdowns.
Even so, 25-year-old Higgins figures to be one of the hottest commodities on the free-agent market among receivers, assuming the Bengals don't re-sign or franchise him.
While Higgins signing with the Browns would make him an enemy in Cincinnati, there are several reasons why Cleveland could be a great landing spot.
For starters, Higgins would get to play across from Amari Cooper, which would give the Browns one of the NFL's best wide receiver duos.
He would also have a talented quarterback in Deshaun Watson throwing him the ball, an elite running back in Nick Chubb to take some pressure off, and one of the NFL's best defenses, although Watson and Chubb missed significant time due to injury in 2023.
Despite the Browns' injury issues, they went 11-6 and made the playoffs, so if they are healthier and add Higgins, they could be a major threat in 2024.
Sauce Gardner Wants Jets to Sign Tee Higgins, Calvin Ridley in 2024 NFL Free Agency
Jan 23, 2024
CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 28: Sauce Gardner #1 of the New York Jets looks on prior to a game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 28, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
It's safe to count New York Jets star cornerback Sauce Gardner among the many who are hoping to see the team bolster their receiving corps this offseason.
Gardner responded to a tweet asking who the Jets should pursue in free agency, suggesting that they should go after Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley and Cincinnati Bengals wideout Tee Higgins:
Despite Gardner's wishful thinking, it should be noted that the Bengals are likely to, at minimum, use their franchise tag on Higgins, considering he's the best player among their impending free agents. Higgins is coming off an injury-riddled season in which he was limited to 12 games and recorded career lows of 42 catches, 656 yards and five touchdowns.
Ridley, who was suspended for the entire 2022 season due to gambling, proved he can still be a reliable option on the outside with 76 receptions for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns in his first full year back on the field. While the Jags likely would be interested in having him stick around, they would owe the Atlanta Falcons a 2024 second-round pick if they sign him to a contract extension.
Both Higgins and Ridley would be significant upgrades to a Jets receiving group that struggled mightily amid the team's instability at quarterback. Second-year wideout Garrett Wilson was the only player to overcome the tumult, recording 95 catches for 1,042 yards and three touchdowns to become the first player in team history to start his career with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.
The Jets suffered from a significant lack of depth around Wilson, as tight end Tyler Conklin and running back Breece Hall were the team's second- and third-leading receivers, respectively. Veteran wideout Allen Lazard, who was signed to a four-year deal last offseason, was one of the biggest busts of the year with just 23 catches for 311 yards and one score.
The Jets would be wise to follow Gardner's suggestions and sign a top receiver in this years free-agent class if they hope to avoid another disappointing season in 2024.
Jets Rumors: 'Significant' WR Eyed for Aaron Rodgers in Free Agency, Trade or Draft
Jan 21, 2024
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 07: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets looks on before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
The New York Jets reportedly will prioritize getting Aaron Rodgers another weapon in the passing game this offseason.
According to ESPN's Rich Cimini, "The Jets are hoping to make a significant addition at receiver through trade, free agency or the draft, which would drop [Allen] Lazard on the depth chart. Ultimately, that may benefit him because he doesn't seem cut out for WR2."
The team has a bonafide No. 1 option in Garrett Wilson, but players like Lazard (23 catches for 311 yards and a touchdown) and Randall Cobb (five receptions for 39 yards and a score) struggled significantly behind him. Young players like Xavier Gibson and Jason Brownlee may earn bigger roles moving forward, but it's clear the Jets need an upgrade at the position.
The top free agent available at wideout could be Tee Higgins if he doesn't re-sign or isnt' franchise tagged by the Cincinnati Bengals. he would fit very nicely into New York's No. 2 role, though it's possible he may seek to be the top option somewhere.
Michael Pittman Jr. is another strong option, or the team could chase a veteran on a shorter deal like Mike Evans, who is coming off an excellent 2023 season. It's a strong potential free-agent class, with Marquise Brown, Calvin Ridley, Gabe Davis, Curtis Samuel, Odell Beckham Jr. and Tyler Boyd also set to hit the open market.
No matter whether a team finishes with the No. 1 pick in the draft or wins a Super Bowl, all 32 NFL franchises make a large number of personnel changes during…
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Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins Talk Contracts, Records, More in B/R Interview
Jan 11, 2024
CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 16: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) during the game against the Minnesota Vikings and the Cincinnati Bengals on December 16, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
It is sure to be an offseason of uncertainty, but Cincinnati Bengals fans can take solace knowing one thing.
Staying in Cincinnati with Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase is Tee Higgins' top option.
"It means a lot," Higgins told Bleacher Report when discussing both the quarterback and his fellow wide receiver saying they want him to return even though he is set for free agency this offseason.
"Them telling me that they want me to come back, man, it's family. We've been playing together for three or four years now, and I personally would love to be back playing with those guys. It's not in my hands now, but when the time comes and Cincinnati is there, that's the number one option right now."
The wide receiver position is the biggest storyline of the Bengals' offseason, as Tyler Boyd is also set for free agency alongside Higgins. As if that wasn't enough, Chase is eligible for a contract extension even though he would be under team control through 2025 assuming Cincinnati exercises his fifth-year option.
Burrow told reporters after the season "we'd love to have Tee back," while Chase told reporters he too wants Higgins to remain in Cincinnati.
Yet Chase also has his own contract situation to worry about.
"Who knows how that will unfold at the end of the day," the LSU product told Bleacher Report when discussing his potential extension. "We have to worry about Tee this year too, make sure bro gets his money. And on the other hand, I gotta wait for other receivers like CeeDee Lamb and Justin Jefferson to get paid, too."
Chase waiting for Jefferson or Lamb to reset the market could lead to some potentially difficult financial realities for Cincinnati. After all, Burrow already signed a five-year, $275 million deal in September, and giving long-term contracts to the team's top two wideouts on top of that would be quite the commitment to one or two positions.
That doesn't mean it's an either or situation for the Bengals.
They could apply the franchise tag to Higgins, which would be costly in the short-term but provide more time to make a decision all while the team was still competitive with two star receivers in 2024.
Or they could see such a dynamic pairing as worth the financial commitment and reward both with long-term deals.
Chase and Higgins are still teammates for now, which made them the ideal candidates to partner with Bounty for the company's ultimate NFL wingmen campaign.
Bounty believes fans can't watch football without wings and can't eat wings without having Bounty to clean up as the perfect one-two punch. As part of that campaign, any fans who spend $10 or more on Bounty paper towel products through the Super Bowl can receive $4.00 cash back via Ibotta.
"I'm excited to team up with Bounty," Higgins said. "They're giving us a great opportunity to do things that we haven't done before. He's my wingman, he always has my back, and Bounty always has our back whenever we have messes when we're eating wings and watching football."
Chase added that they are the "best wingmen in the game right now. We pick up any sticky situation that they need us for. If you need some wings cleaned up, that's what Bounty's for."
Bounty will also be in Las Vegas for the Super Bowl Radio Row and serve more than 4,000 wings.
The Bengals will not be joining Bounty at the Super Bowl after finishing 9-8, but the star wide receivers will still be tuning into the playoffs.
They both will be keeping an eye on the A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith since they believe the Philadelphia Eagles' duo is the best one-two punch in the league besides themselves. But Higgins will also be tuning in to watch the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs face the Miami Dolphins in the Wild Card Round.
"Definitely looking forward to that one because Kansas City just beat us and Miami has all that firepower on the offensive side of the ball," he said. "It'll be an exciting game to watch."
Yet it will be difficult for the Bengals and their fans to watch that game without feeling like they should be there as well.
After all, they reached the Super Bowl during the 2021 campaign and the AFC Championship Game last season and were once again expected to be on the short list of title contenders with a star franchise quarterback in Burrow and some of the best skill-position players in the league.
However, Burrow appeared in just 10 games before he was ruled out for the season with a wrist injury. There were inconsistencies even before that, as Cincinnati started 1-3, built some momentum with a four-game winning streak and then lost it with a three-game losing streak.
It looked like Jake Browning was going to do enough in relief of Burrow to get the team to the playoffs with three straight wins over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Viking to improve to 8-6, but the magic ran out as the Bengals were eliminated with two straight losses to the Pittsburgh Steelers and Chiefs.
It wasn't just Burrow who dealt with injuries, as hamstring setbacks limited Higgins to just 12 games.
"The injury messed me up, man," Higgins said after he saw his streak of 1,000-yard campaigns come to an end. "I've just got to stay healthy. Try to stay healthy the whole season. That's the biggest thing, especially in this league when your team needs you the most."
While Higgins will focus on getting healthy throughout the offseason, Chase will look to expand his role in the offense even more after a third straight Pro Bowl effort.
"Getting the offense down pat even more," he said when discussing his offseason goals. "Just getting more into the offense. Getting used more in the slot. I feel like that will be my biggest thing to focus on this offseason, still looking at the playbook when I'm working out."
An even more versatile Chase would be a welcome sign for the Bengals considering he was a bright spot in 2023 with 100 catches for 1,216 yards and seven touchdowns. He tallied 100 catches for the first time in his career and became the third Bengal in franchise history to reach the mark in the process, joining T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Carl Pickens.
And he doesn't plan on waiting long to break Houshmandzadeh's franchise record of 112 catches in a season.
"A year," Chase said when asked when Bengals fans will see him top that mark. "I want to get it my next year. I had the setbacks this year with my back and hip. So it set me back a game. I'm just getting myself ready for the next season and getting prepared for that."
That means there is still plenty to look forward to in Cincinnati even with so much uncertainty this offseason.
The 2023 NFL regular season has ended. While 14 teams are still competing for a shot at Super Bowl LVIII, the others have already moved on to the 2024…
Joe Burrow: 'I Expect' Tee Higgins to Be With Bengals in 2024 Amid Expiring Contract
Jan 8, 2024
CINCINNATI, OH - NOVEMBER 05: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) and quarterback Joe Burrow (9) talk with NBC sideline reporter Melissa Stark after the game against the Buffalo Bills and the Cincinnati Bengals on November 5, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow doesn't envision wide receiver Tee Higgins suiting up for another team in 2024.
"We'd love to have Tee back. He's a big part of what we've done here," Burrow told reporters Monday. "It's no secret, our relationship. I expect Tee to be back. We all want Tee back."
Joe Burrow said that the Bengals discussed with him the plan for the future of the roster when he negotiated the contract extension. They talked about these moves over the summer.
Higgins is due to be a free agent after he and the Bengals were unable to agree to an extension before the 2023 season kicked off.
Injuries limited the 2020 second-round pick to 12 games, but he remained effective when healthy. He caught 42 passes for 656 yards and five touchdowns, with his 15.6 yards per reception a career high.
The dilemma for the Bengals is pretty straightforward.
Spotrac pegged Higgins' value at $18.6 million annually, which would be the 15th-biggest salary cap hit for a wideout. And that might undersell what he could actually command on the open market.
WR Tee Higgins heads toward free agency carrying a resume that mimics #Chargers wideout Mike Williams, who garnered $20M per year (9.6% of the cap) back in 2022.
This would put Higgins on pace for a contract near $23M per year this March.
That's a sizable commitment, especially on a long-term deal, when Ja'Marr Chase is eligible for free agency in 2026 and stands to make even more on his next deal. He's worth $26.1 million right now, per Spotrac, and that figure will only climb the closer he gets to the expiration of his rookie contract.
This could effectively be an either or situation for Cincinnati because retaining both Higgins and Chase will require spending a lot of money on just one position.
Higgins is eligible for the franchise tag, which would be a costly play for now but afford the Bengals some flexibility.
If they intended to keep the 24-year-old, then Cincy would be assured of having him for at least one more season while gaining additional time to work out an extension. The team has more than enough cap space to accommodate what's projected to be a $21.7 million guaranteed payout.
The franchise tag would also provide the front office an opportunity to explore trade avenues if it's resigned to losing Higgins. Flipping him for a draft pick is better than him walking for nothing as a free agent.
There's no question Burrow wields a lot of influence and his opinion will be considered. Director of player personnel Duke Tobin probably won't be afraid to go against the star's wishes with Higgins, though, if it's the best play for the organization.
