The headlines are buzzing with the news that Tee Higgins will not be extending his contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, leaving the door wide open for two AFC contenders to battle it out for his services next year. It should come as no surprise that Higgins and the Bengals could not come to an agreement on a long-term deal, as the current rules prohibit such negotiations at this point in the off-season.
According to ProFootballTalk‘s Mike Florio, the Bengals have a history of not keeping players beyond the year in which they are tagged with the franchise tag. This means that Higgins is likely to hit free agency in 2025, setting the stage for a bidding war between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Chiefs, with a solid group of receivers in Marquise Brown, Rashee Rice, and Xavier Worthy, could be looking to add a big-bodied receiver like Higgins to their arsenal in 2025. Brown, who signed a one-year deal with the team, may choose to pursue a bigger payday elsewhere, opening up an opportunity for Higgins to step in and make an impact.
On the other hand, the Chargers, led by quarterback Justin Herbert, could also be in the running for Higgins. With a similar style to current Chargers receiver Mike Williams, Higgins could quickly become a favorite target for Herbert in their high-powered offense. Coach Jim Harbaugh is known for his emphasis on a physical run game, but he also understands the importance of a strong passing attack in order to compete with teams like the Chiefs.
The potential addition of Higgins to either of these teams could make them even more formidable contenders in the AFC. As the off-season progresses and teams begin to solidify their rosters, the battle for Tee Higgins is sure to heat up. Stay tuned for more updates as free agency approaches.
(Original content: https://franchisesports.co.uk/chiefs-chargers-could-fight-for-tee-higgins/)
