If the Cincinnati Bengals fail to give Tee Higgins a long-term deal, he will most likely be the crown jewel in next year's free agency. The Jacksonville Jaguars most definitely need to keep tabs on him. Fortunately for them, they have one fewer suitor to worry about thanks to cornerback Sauce Gardner.
Following a lights-out performance in the win over the Denver Broncos, Higgins posted a reel on Instagram, and Gardner chimed in, stating that the fifth-year wideout must be paid. But then a user, likely a Jets fan, asked the All-Pro cornerback to tell Higgins to sign with the Jets. His response? "I will NOT be telling him that." Here's the exchange, via Bengals Graphics on Twitter.
lol pic.twitter.com/pshCRVtlTd
— Bengals Graphics (@BengalsGraphic5) December 29, 2024
Jokes aside, it's telling that Gardner is telling Higgins to steer clear from the Jets. You would think that he would love his club to acquire as many playmakers as possible. However, he knows just how dysfunctional New York is and would rather have his friends choose another club in their free-agency tour.
Around the same time, Gardner shared his thoughts, New York was pummeled by the Buffalo Bills. They ended up losing 40-14, and their two touchdowns came once Aaron Rodgers had been benched. What makes the loss even more humiliating is that the former league MVP arrived at the game carrying a boom box playing Coolio's Gangsta's Paradise.
Aaron ‘Enigma’ Rodgers and the Jets walking out to a boom box blasting ‘Gangsta's Paradise’ pic.twitter.com/sv4cJzNOzq
— Dan Fetes (@danfetes) December 29, 2024
If you're going to pull off that kind of stunt, you must back it up with your play on the field. The Jets fell flat, but that was just one of many embarrassing moments the most dysfunctional franchise in the NFL has starred in this season.
Granted, the Jaguars aren't in a position to make fun of other teams, having won a measly five games dating back to Week 13 of the 2023 season. That said, they won't be anything close to what Rodgers did ahead of the loss.
The Jaguars are low-key a great destination for Tee Higgins in 2025
While the New York Jets may have trouble courting free agents in 2025, the Jacksonville Jaguars should have no trouble convincing players (and potential head coach candidates) to join them. For starters, they'll have no shortage of cap space, so meeting their potential salary demands won't be an issue.
Higgins will probably command around $25 million per year. If the Jags have a legitimate interest in locking him up, they can fit him in their payroll. Moreover, the former Clemson Tiger will be catching passes from former teammate Trevor Lawrence. That kind of familiarity could help Jacksonville lure him.
Sure, the Jags drafted rookie sensation Brian Thomas Jr. and also signed Gabe Davis in 2024, but their wide receiver corps could still use reinforcements next year. After all, the latter couldn't hit his stride and Christian Kirk figures to be a cap casualty. That said, Jacksonville won't be the only team vying for Higgins' services, so landing him is far from a sure thing.
The bottom line is that the Jaguars would be an appealing destination for Higgins, and they won't have to worry about their own players telling him not to sign with them.