The New England Patriots still have around $50 million in salary cap space, which is more than any other team in the league. Despite their struggles in trying to spend that money on available players this offseason, particularly in free agency, they still have options to explore in the trade market. As March comes to a close, one of the most talked-about names available for trade happens to fill a position where the Patriots have a significant need: wide receiver.
That player is Tee Higgins of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Following their unsuccessful attempt to acquire Calvin Ridley, who ultimately chose to sign with the Tennessee Titans, the Patriots shifted their focus to signing K.J. Osborn from the Minnesota Vikings. While this move does improve their receiving corps, Osborn, along with returning starter Kendrick Bourne, are seen more as secondary or tertiary options rather than true number one receivers.
The Patriots are clearly lacking a standout target in their passing game. Higgins, who has expressed a desire to be traded from Cincinnati after being franchise-tagged by the Bengals, represents a viable option to step into a primary receiving role after spending his career playing alongside Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase. Reports from Bleacher Report suggest that the Patriots are among the potential suitors for Higgins as he seeks a lucrative long-term contract.
Tee Higgins Wants a Trade & a Contract
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox forecasts that Tee Higgins could command a three-year contract worth $71 million, which aligns well with the New England Patriots’ current salary cap situation.
Knox noted, “Despite primarily serving as the No. 2 receiver in Cincinnati, Higgins has demonstrated the potential to be a primary option elsewhere. Despite sharing targets with Chase, the 25-year-old achieved 1,000-yard seasons in both 2021 and 2022.”
Moreover, according to Knox, the Patriots, led by head coach Jerod Mayo, are actively seeking a top target through trades. Mayo stated, “We’re still open on the trade market,” indicating their eagerness to bolster their receiving corps.
Additionally, Spotrac predicts that Higgins could command a four-year, $74 million contract in free agency. Should the Bengals opt not to retain him, this projection could represent a bargain for teams once he steps out of Chase’s shadow.
Patriots Could Reshape Their Offense
While the exact trade package needed to acquire Tee Higgins remains uncertain, it’s likely to resemble what the Philadelphia Eagles offered to secure A.J. Brown from the Titans in 2022—potentially a first- and third-round pick. However, Higgins is considered slightly below Brown’s caliber.
Given that the Patriots hold the No. 3 pick in this year’s draft, they’re unlikely to part with it for Higgins. Instead, they might consider offering their second-round pick (No. 34 overall) along with a third-rounder this year, or even a pick in the 2025 draft. Although it represents a significant cost, it underscores the urgency of the Patriots’ need for a receiver, particularly one of Higgins’ caliber.
Higgins, despite facing injury challenges in 2023, still managed to maintain an impressive average of 15.6 yards per reception across 12 games. At just 25 years old, he stands out as one of the top available options in the market.
However, questions linger regarding the quarterback situation for the Patriots. While they’re deliberating whether to draft a quarterback with their No. 3 pick or explore other options, their current quarterbacks include Jacoby Brissett and Bailey Zappe. It’s evident that having a strong receiving corps, including Higgins, Osborn, Bourne, and Pop Douglas, wouldn’t be fully utilized if Brissett were to remain the starter.
Nonetheless, the priority should be on acquiring Higgins if the opportunity arises, with quarterback decisions to be addressed subsequently.
