Recent reports may be enough to douse the hopes that an average Patriots fan has regarding Tee Higgins. The more sophisticated fans understand that the game is still afoot. While the old adage states that it isn’t over until the fat lady sings, in NFL parlance it would be, it isn’t over until Adam Schefter or Ian Rappaport says it’s official. There are breadcrumbs within the recent reports that suggest the Cincinnati Bengals aren’t as close to signing Higgins long-term as they’d have people believe.

Will Tee Higgins Agree To Be Second-Fiddle?

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Continuing with the cliches, Higgins has always been the bridesmaid, never the bride. USA Today reported that the Bengals are close to locking up Ja’Marr Chase and Higgins, and based on the reported numbers, Higgins would be conceding to never playing the role of Batman (remaining a career Robin to Chase). Is this actually something that the former Clemson Tiger is okay with? It flies in the face of what fans have been hearing for the past two years, regarding Higgins wanting to be a top dog.

With a reported extension expected to be between $25-30 million AAV for Higgins, he’d also have to agree to a contract that is not only less than the predicted $40 million AAV for Chase, but less than a couple of other guys who aren’t the first options for their quarterbacks (Jaylen Waddle at $28 million and Davona Smith at $25 million). This would represent a significant hometown discount compared to what other teams were prepared to offer Higgins if the Bengals didn’t block him from testing the market.

DK Metcalf received $30 million per year, indications are that Higgins would have gotten more if he were a free agent. Reports also suggested that Higgins wasn’t happy about being slapped with his second consecutive franchise tag. Cincinnati is essentially holding him ransom, like a shady car salesman who give a customer their keys back, promising the deal he is offering is better than anything they will find anywhere else.

The Patriots could make Higgins one of the top-five highest-paid receivers in the NFL without breaking a sweat, and their fans would applaud the move as money well spent. They could also make him the featured target of Josh McDaniels’ offense. More targets, more receptions, more yards, more touchdowns, more money. Higgins would have to be amazing friends with Joe Burrow to turn all that down.

End Of My Tee Higgins Rant

All these reports are really just posturing by the Bengals to drive up the price on Higgins. Teams reported earlier in the week that the asking price for the receiver was “crazy high”. Teams initially balked, but reports or an imminent deal might make desperate teams (the Patriots are as desperate as they come) willing to up their offer. A second-round pick won’t get it done anymore. The Patriots may need to offer Cincinnati a pick swap in the first round (4 for 17), or even crazier, offer the fourth overall pick straight up.

Higgins isn’t going to sign with the Bengals, but if the Patriots don’t give in on the asking price, fans better be prepared for the breaking news that Higgins will be playing for the Panthers next year, because Dan Morgan won’t let this deal slip through his fingers.