Cincinnati Bengals free agent wide receiver Tee Higgins wants to return to the team this season but it’s out of his control. According to several sources, the free agent will be available on the market but he would rather stay in Cincinnati, however, this will be up to the organization as they will try to offer him a long-term extension. Quarterback Joe Burrow already said it himself that he wants to continue building a roster with Ja’Marr Chase and Higgins. However, with the financial situation of the team and need to extend defensive lineman Trey Hendrickson sooner rather than later after requesting a trade, it will get even more difficult to retain most of their talent.
Higgins became the subject of trade rumors since last offseason and now he will be free next month in the new league to sign anywhere he pleases. He made it a tweet stating “Ima let y’all know first” as of this posting today so it seems if he decides to leave Cincinnati, he will announce on his social media page. The biggest implication for Higgins’ new contract is finding a way to extend Chase and he doesn’t look like he’ll want to wait. He has no desire to make accomodations so the Bengals could retain Higgins.
With that, Higgins will take time away this month and he said he will have a clearer picture where his future stands in March. The wideout only put up catching 73 passes for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns so it’ll be interesting to see what kind of deal he receives. However, the Chargers, Panthers might have the financial liberty to sign Higgins.
Ima let yall know first
— Tee Higgins⁵ (@teehiggins5) February 11, 2025
“Not In My Control” Bengals Free Agent Tee Higgins Wants to Return – Chargers, Panthers Likely Next Teams
Building Herbert’s Pass Game
The Los Angeles Chargers were close to looking like a complete roster this past 2024 campaign. Head Coach Jim Harbaugh spent the majority of last offseason building a dependable run game for Justin Herbert’s offense. However, the plan didn’t go well for the team in the first round of the postseason, falling to the Texans where the Chargers didn’t have enough capable weapons to go further than they were anticipating. As it stands, rookie Ladd McConkey is the only reliable set of hands for Herbert’s passing attack.
Quentin Johnston will likely be cut if he doesn’t improve while Joshua Palmer will become a free agent. DJ Chark did not start until late into the 2024 season with little to nothing to show for. Signing Tee Higgins gives the Chargers their new No. 1 receiver out on the field. He has the size and capabilities to go in the deep routes to catch those balls that Herbert thrives in the passing game.
New Offense for Young
As for the Pathers, it’s hard to imagine the team will walk into next season with Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker as their only set of hands. Adam Thielen will likely request a trade as the new league year begins and since he’s already aging, they should grant his wishes. The Diontae Johnson experiment did not bode well in Bryce Young’s offense who became a journeyman for the rest of the league year. There have been rumors that the Panthers could sign Higgins and his presence could make sense, especially as head coach Dave Canales has trust in his quarterback again.
Higgins would become their new top target and he could finally thrive in an offense that has him as the highlight of their team.
The post “Not In My Control” Bengals Free Agent Wants to Return – Chargers, Panthers Likely Next Teams appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.