This just won't go away, will it? The Washington Commanders and Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins.
With the Bengals star in line for a bumper new deal, Cincinnati is reportedly thinking of placing the franchise tag on Higgins, and while that wouldn't end Washington's chances of securing his services, it does mean trade would need to be facilitated.
Still, Higgins is seen as "the" target for the cashed-up Commanders as the franchise looks to take advantage of Jayden Daniels' rookie contract.
For ESPN's Matt Bowen, Washington is Higgins' best team fit this offseason.
"The Commanders could pair Higgins with Terry McLaurin to give quarterback Jayden Daniels two true difference-makers on the perimeter," Bowen writes. "At 6-foot-4 and 219 pounds, Higgins can win at all three levels of the route tree in OC Kliff Kingsbury's system. And with 23 career red zone touchdown catches, he would be a top target for Daniels close to the end zone. Injuries limited him to 12 games in 2024, yet he finished with 73 receptions for 911 yards."
Some would have thought that Higgins' best team fit would be to stay in Cincinnati, but it does feel like the winds of change are coming for the receiver, and the Commanders have the cap space to make the move.
Still productive despite an injury-riddled season in 2024, Higgins and McLaurin paired together along with Daniels who is expected to again take another step forward, is an enticing thought.
The Commanders have the chance to double down on their 2024 success, and signing Higgins would signal that the franchise, as an NFC power, is to be taken seriously in 2025.
