The Jacksonville Jaguars made additions to their receiver corps in 2024, but the unit could still use some work next year. While there will be several enticing options in the free agency, they should prioritize signing in free agency. The former Clemson Tigers showed against the Denver Broncos in overtime just how much of a game-changer he can be. The Jags could most definitely use a player like him.
Higgins has been dealing with injuries this season but has still managed to be productive, reeling in 69 receptions for 858 yards with a career-best 10 touchdowns. Against the Broncos, he caught the game-winning touchdown and ended up with 11 receptions for 131 yards with three touchdowns.
BENGALS WIN. BENGALS STAY ALIVE.#DENvsCIN pic.twitter.com/XQSz8bCnpY
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024
What makes his production even more surprising is that he's put up that kind of numbers in just eight games. Heck, the Oak Ridge, Tennessee was questionable for Week 16 with an injury designation. Yet, he suited up and came up in the clutch. That's the kind of player you want in your team.
With the #Bengals season on the line, they are expected to have WR Tee Higgins on the field against the #Broncos, sources say. He’s questionable with ankle and knee issues.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 28, 2024
Having said that, Higgins is no one-game wonder. He's consistently delivered throughout his career, catching 326 passes for 4,543 yards with 34 touchdowns. But despite his production, the Cincinnati Bengals don't appear to be interested in locking him up long-term.
Higgins was slated to become a free agent but instead of giving him a long-term deal, Cincy placed the franchise on him, ensuring he stayed under contract for another year. You would think that watching the fifth-year wideout show out first-hand would incentivize the Bengals to get a deal done, but that hasn't been the case. In fact, they've refused to negotiate dating back to 2023.
To nobody's surprise, star quarterback Joe Burrow has stated that signing Higgins to a long-term contract should be the team's priority. However, Cincinnati has a track record of letting their cornerstone players walk, which is why there's a legitimate chance he'll be available in free agency. And if that's the case, he'll be the crown jewel of his class.
Why siging Tee Higgins would make sense for the Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars signed Gabe Davis and drafted Brian Thomas Jr. in 2024. The latter has gone on to become their best skill-position player while the former has left much to be desired. Even though there's a chance that Davis will improve in his second season in Duval, the team's brass shouldn't pass up the chance to go after Tee Higgins and pair him up.
Having a receiver of Higgins caliber lining up opposite Thomas could take the offense to new heights. It's also worth noting that the veteran wideout has been linked to the Jags for a while due to his prior connection with Trevor Lawrence. The duo used to play together at Clemson, and that's led to chatter about a potential reunion in the NFL for a while.
For the sake of the argument, let's say the Jaguars do want to sign Higgins next year. They have the cap space to pull it off. They're slated to have around $46 million in cap space, but they're also expected to have some of this year's money roll over into 2025. Add the fact that they can free up cap space by releasing a handful of players, and Jacksonville should have more than enough space to pursue him. It won't come cheap, though, but it would be worth it.
Higgins is projected to command a contract that pays him somewhere around $25 million per year. Aside from Andre Cisco, the Jags won't have many notable free agents of their own, so they could most definitely make a run for him. Sure, they wouldn't be able to address other needs in the open market, but they have ample draft picks to do so.
The bottom line is that Tee Higgins is a difference-maker and the Jacksonville Jaguars must do what it takes to ensure they reunite him with Trevor Lawrence next year.