The 2025 offseason will kick into overdrive with the Super Bowl LIX in the books. The Philadelphia Eagles are the only team that came out of the season happy with where they are.
The Carolina Panthers went 5-12 in their first campaign under Dave Canales, but the roster needs to get better on both sides of the ball. With Bryce Young playing better over the second half of the season, getting more playmakers around him is crucial.
Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins recently spoke about his incoming free agency and revealed that he would be open to landing elsewhere. And that is music to the ears of Panthers fans.
In an interview with via FOX19’s Joe Danneman, Higgins said, "But you know, it's not in my hands right now. So I gotta do what I need to do, and if that's go to another team, that's what happens."
He added, "Obviously I would love to be here in Cincinnati. I love it here. I love the city. I love the fans. I love the coaching staff -- everything in the building. But it's not in my control."
Bengals' Tee Higgins on impending free agency: "It's not in my hands right now. So I gotta do what I need to do, and if that's go to another team, that's what happens."https://t.co/YJCB22L9SL pic.twitter.com/i2WnJ1Hvkr
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) February 10, 2025
Tee Higgins is Open to Signing Elsewhere in Free Agency
Higgins played the 2024 season on a franchise tag worth $21.8 million. Last offseason, he was angling for an extension along with his teammate Ja'Marr Chase but the team decided not to pay either of them.
That won't be the case this offseason, especially after Chase was the triple-crown winner in 2024, racking up 124 catches for 1,708 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns. He'll become the highest-paid receiver in the NFL, eclipsing Justin Jefferson's $35 million annual salary.
That means they might not have the money for Higgins and the Panthers could swoop in. Per Overthecap.com, Carolina has $20 million in cap space but that number could increase with cuts and contract restructures.
Higgins is the perfect receiver to pair with Young. Over 70 career games, the Clemson product has logged 330 receptions for 4,595 receiving yards, and 34 touchdowns. He stands at 6-foot-4 and is a contested catch beast.
He's only 26 years old and is the kind of player that can grow with Young. Therefore, it would be wise for the Panthers to be in the Higgins sweepstakes in March.