The New England Patriots are facing disappointment in their pursuit of free-agent wide receiver Tee Higgins, as the Cincinnati Bengals are reportedly planning to place the franchise tag on him for a second consecutive season. This news comes as a blow to the Patriots, who have a league-best $119 million in cap space and are in desperate need of a No. 1 receiver to complement their promising quarterback Drake Maye. Despite Higgins’ impressive performance in the 2024 season, where he recorded 911 yards and 10 touchdowns in 12 games, the Bengals are focused on signing him to a long-term deal. This decision by the Bengals means that Higgins, who has consistently surpassed 900 yards in four of his five seasons in the NFL, may not hit the open market as anticipated. While other free-agent wide receivers like Chris Godwin are set to become available, Higgins’ age and talent made him an appealing target for the Patriots. However, it seems that New England will have to look elsewhere to address their receiving needs as Higgins looks set to remain with the Bengals for the upcoming season.
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