Jason LaCanfora: Pats really want Higgins "He's going to New England"

[RobertWeathers]

Why are we discussing a trade for him anyway? Was there a story leaked that the Bengals are looking for a sign and trade?

Not entirely sure but the Bengals GM yesterday said Chase will get paid.

The assumption is they will pay Chase AND and Higgins as WR1s and not sign him long term. As a consequence, they will trade him. Not sure if they will tag him first?

 

[RobertWeathers]

Always true maybe only in cases where there's plenty of cap space to spare. And Im not going to argue that a 3rd isnt worth Tee Higgins

But long-term thinking (not our problem rn), there is a difference in paying pennies for 4 years for a player, than a vested vet who commands more

Agree it's better financially if the pick hits. No question

 

[signbabybrady]

Why are we discussing a trade for him anyway? Was there a story leaked that the Bengals are looking for a sign and trade?

There is a rumor Cincy will tag him. There is another rumor that Higgins and Cincy aren't at the negotiating table right now. So it's a realistic jump to conclusion.

 

[Steve102]

There is a rumor Cincy will tag him. There is another rumor that Higgins and Cincy aren't at the negotiating table right now. So it's a realistic jump to conclusion.

Sounds like we all are jumping to conclusions a bit.

 

[signbabybrady]

Sounds like we all are jumping to conclusions a bit.

Isn't that what we are doing with all possible free agents

 

[Steve102]

Isn't that what we are doing with all possible free agents

Sure. I guess I am ok speculating on what it will cost to get him as a FA. I don't want to trade for him. I think there's better trade targets.

 

[slash83]

 

[PatsFan2]

Sure.

 

[Wozzy]

That won't get the deal done.

We paid a 4th for Randy Moss and he had some time left on his previous deal. If Higgins starts making a stink, the Bengals know they can’t get a deal done they’ll take the best deal available.

 

[signbabybrady]

I'd rather come away from free agency with a starting LT, DE, and DT anyway.

 

[RobertWeathers]

We paid a 4th for Randy Moss and he had some time left on his previous deal. If Higgins starts making a stink, the Bengals know they can’t get a deal done they’ll take the best deal available.

True, but kinda different situations. Moss was coming off a down year, getting over injuries and 30 y/o.

In these franchise tag situations the leverage is f-ed up for both sides.

 

[ScottishPatriots]

I don't see anyone trading a high pick for Higgins and immediately paying him one of the highest WR contracts in NFL history, the Bengals screwed him with that tag, if they're demanding a first round pick then he's going to be stuck there.

Teams value the rookie contract too much with those picks or at least want a few years of control on the contract to get an improved deal done if they're giving up a high pick.

The Patriots getting Higgins died the day he was tagged.

 

[Wozzy]

True, but kinda different situations. Moss was coming off a down year, getting over injuries and 30 y/o.

In these franchise tag situations the leverage is f-ed up for both sides.

We'll see... like Scottish says above, the Bengals will have a high draft pick in mind and they'll realize nobody is willing to pony it up. They'll take the best offer available.

No smart team will trade a high pick then pay Higgins 30 million per, but they might very well get bailed out by a dumb team.

 

[PatsFan2]

We'll see... like Scottish says above, the Bengals will have a high draft pick in mind and they'll realize nobody is willing to pony it up. They'll take the best offer available.

No smart team will trade a high pick then pay Higgins 30 million per, but they might very well get bailed out by a dumb team.

Tee Higgins being a young player *26* is the reason why the Bengals are holding out: and I don't blame em.

 

[Wozzy]

Tee Higgins being a young player *26* is the reason why the Bengals are holding out: and I don't blame em.

They have cap space, they can probably afford him if they want to. But Patriots fans should use the Bengals as a cautionary tale for the unhealthy obsession for "weapons."

The Bengals have had a franchise top five QB, a #1 superweapon WR, an elite RB and a great group of #2 WR's and other weapons. But their offensive line has sucked...

When the defense was top ranked, they won their division and went to a Super Bowl which they lost, largely because Joe Burrow got sacked 7 times in that one game.

When the defense fell apart they went 9-8 for the last two seasons. Also Joe Burrow, the franchise, has suffered two serious season ending injuries over his five year career.

You can't win without being elite in the trenches on both sides of the ball. After QB, no other position group matters as much as line play. Spend your money and resources there...

 

[signbabybrady]

I don't see anyone trading a high pick for Higgins and immediately paying him one of the highest WR contracts in NFL history, the Bengals screwed him with that tag, if they're demanding a first round pick then he's going to be stuck there.

Teams value the rookie contract too much with those picks or at least want a few years of control on the contract to get an improved deal done if they're giving up a high pick.

The Patriots getting Higgins died the day he was tagged.

But has he been tagged yet?

 

[slash83]

I don’t think they’re going to tag him, especially before locking up Chase.

 

[TheRainMaker]

I don't see anyone trading a high pick for Higgins and immediately paying him one of the highest WR contracts in NFL history, the Bengals screwed him with that tag, if they're demanding a first round pick then he's going to be stuck there.

Teams value the rookie contract too much with those picks or at least want a few years of control on the contract to get an improved deal done if they're giving up a high pick.

The Patriots getting Higgins died the day he was tagged.

Joe Burrow should tell the Bengals to sign him now or let him walk. Tagging him will be a waste of time. They would now only have $17M in cap space to sign Hendrickson and others. Then you have Chase next season. We also have to consider if Higgens gets $35M from the Bengals, Chase will want $40M.

 

[Ross12]

This might be true, since it aligns with Vrabel's stated philosophy, but this is also the kinda thing you'd say for leverage purposes. Cincy is saying "we're gonna tag him!!! For real!!! Get ready to send us your high picks!!!" so the Pats are saying "not interested in him actually lol good luck with that though"

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I'd rather come away from free agency with a starting LT, DE, and DT anyway.

If be okay with exploring the cheaper wr tier - elijah moore/dyami brown/etc this year if it means making quality additions on the trenches. Josh made it work in 21 with mac jones and perhaps even less at wr. Line was stout though.

Still want a wr splurge in the near future though, hopefully by next year, to truly unlock Drake’s potential.