Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins has been working his way to this point for quite some time. Where will he end up?
Free agency is just around the corner. For much of the league, it’s just another day on the calendar. However, for some players, it’s a new beginning. Tee Higgins falls into the second camp. The Cincinnati Bengals have dragged their feet with Higgins over the past 12 months and arguably longer.
However, with Ja’Marr Chase’s deal coming due as well, the rival of the Baltimore Ravens seemingly has to choose between Higgins and Chase. Chase’s production and place on the depth chart has made it clear that if one needs to go, it would be Higgins.
As such, with Tee Higgins trade rumors having previously percolated to the point of getting addressed by the receiver, the writing is on the wall. Once his franchise tag expires, Higgins will be free to hit the open market. Trey Hendrickson believes Higgins should be a WR1 wherever he goes, but where would that be? Here’s a look.
#1 – Kansas City Chiefs
Adding Higgins would be an offseason story that would still be talked about in September. However, the move makes sense.
The Chiefs just saw their receivers get stomped in the Super Bowl and have been a nagging issue for a while. Xavier Worthy has shown that he could have a bright future in the league, but the team needs ammunition to compete with the Eagles and whatever powerhouse team emerges in 2025.
Higgins fortifies the room considerably and coming off his best season since at least 2022, Mahomes could have a use for Joe Burrow’s former teammate.
#2 – Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos had a top-ten-scoring offense in 2024. However, when it came to passing, the team still lagged in the bottom third of the league, per ESPN analytics. Put simply, despite seeing some flash at times from the young receivers, they need a veteran to pair with Courtland Sutton.
Higgins would be that guy. With Russell Wilson’s cap hit shrinking in 2025, the team would have some cash to spare to upgrade the offense. Why not start with a quality free agent like Higgins?
#3 – Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are in the process of bolstering their wide receiver room. It started last year by drafting Marvin Harrison Jr. fourth overall. However, there’s still one move to be made. If the Cardinals were to pair Higgins with Harrison Jr., it would complete the receiving room for Kyler Murray.
At that point, with Jonathan Gannon calling the plays, the Cardinals could finish what they teased last year when they held a brief NFC West division lead. Higgins could be the last piece to push the Cardinals into a spot to take the league by storm after an 8-9 record.
