The Patriots have a ton of cash, they usually have a necessity at receiver. With NFL free company set to start, it’s sensible to anticipate they might make a splash on the place.
What if, although, that splash as a substitute comes via a commerce with, say, Tee Higgins coming to New England?
The Cincinnati Bengals reciever has requested a commerce, based on a number of experiences Monday, simply hours forward of the free company tampering interval. ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the primary to report Higgins is asking out from the one crew for which he’s performed.
The Bengals used the franchise tag on Higgins in late February, locking him in for the 2024 season on the $21.8 million wage designated for vast receivers. That got here after the 2 sides had been unable to work out a contract extension, and the hope for individuals who wished Higgins to stay with the Bengals was that they might finally work out an extended deal.
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It seems that isn’t the case. Higgins, based on Schefter, hoped to stick with the Bengals and was upset no talks a few long-term extension materialized, resulting in his reported request.
As for a way this might have an effect on the Patriots, there have been no scarcity of experiences indicating New England desires to improve at receiver. Higgins, who had consecutive 74-catch seasons earlier than an injury-plagued 2023 marketing campaign, would match that invoice. Cincinnati took Higgins with the thirty third decide within the 2020 NFL Draft, and he has been a really strong weapon for Joe Burrow, settling in properly because the No. 2 wideout behind Ja’Marr Chase in Cincinnati.
Finally, it should come down to cost, which shall be dictated by demand. If the worth is a first-round decide, that is likely to be a little bit too steep for a Patriots crew that in all probability needs to be prioritizing a number of property over only one massive splash. That being stated, their second-round decide this yr (No. 34) is simply exterior the primary spherical and will definitely be engaging in commerce talks with the Bengals.
The Patriots could possibly be on the best way to constructing an honest arsenal of pass-catchers. New England reportedly re-signed receiver Kendrick Bourne and tight finish Hunter Henry over the weekend, two gamers who’ve carried out nicely when not injured or saddled with woeful quarterback play. Including Higgins to that blend whereas additionally hitting on the subsequent quarterback — whoever that’s — would go a great distance within the Patriots’ hitting on this rebuild.
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