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What happens if WR Tee Higgins doesn’t become available for Rams in free agency
The wide receiver position will be one of focus this offseason for the Los Angeles Rams. With the wide receiver room being built around Puka Nacua, the front office needs to do everything that they can to find a complementary piece next to him. The Rams will likely trade or release Cooper Kupp, leaving them with just Jordan Whittington and Xavier Smith as the other primary wide receivers on the roster. Finding a solid number two will be a must this offseason.
A player that has consistently been brought up for the Rams has been Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. Higgins brings the star power destined for L.A. He has experience in a similar offense having spent his entire career in Zac Taylor’s offense which is similar to Sean McVay’s. Higgins is a perfect fit for what the Rams need on the outside as the ‘X’ receiver. That doesn’t even mention the fun storyline involving Higgins’ controversial touchdown in the 2021 Super Bowl..
While Higgins is currently available, it’s not very often that a wide receiver of his caliber actually hits free agency. The Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Eagles each had to trade for Stefon Diggs and AJ Brown. Even when a top wide receiver becomes available, there’s no guarantee that they work out in the new environment. Kenny Golladay leaving the Detroit Lions for the New York Giants is an example of that.
Free agency is approximately one month away and a lot will change between now and then. Teams will come to agreements with players as the new league year gets closer. At this time last season, cornerback Jaylon Johnson was set to be a free agent. A week before the free agency window opened, the Chicago Bears placed the franchise tag on Johnson and then two days later they each agreed to a contract extension. The same thing happened with edge rusher Brian Burns who was given the franchise tag before being traded to the New York Giants.
Paul Dehner Jr. who covers the Bengals for The Athletic said,
“The dynamics around Higgins have changed dramatically since this time last year when his situation appeared destined to end in a walk to free agency in 2025. The club failed to find a suitable replacement, he handled a challenging situation off the field admirably and with his teammates in mind, he took his game to the next level and solidified himself to be about everything this organization claims to be about. He also dropped his old agent in a move designed to keep him in Cincinnati. That’s before getting into Burrow’s obvious feelings and lobbying...And it would undeniably behoove the organization to give Burrow what he wants, if possible...That specifically means putting big smiles on the faces of Higgins and Chase this offseason.”
Whether or not it’s the right move for the Bengals to bring back Higgins is up for debate. By...
