The Patriots' offseason was symbolized by Eliot Wolf vastly improving the team on both sides of the ball, both via free agency and the draft. But before free agency even began, New England fans coveted free agent Tee Higgins. New England fans were almost certain Higgins was the top wide receiver that quarterback Drake Maye needed.
Instead, Higgins wound up back in Cincinnati on a four-year, $115 million deal, and the Patriots wound up signing Stefon Diggs to a three-year contract. Fans were quick to turn on Wolf when Higgins decided to return to the Bengals, but in the long run, perhaps it's not a bad thing the Patriots didn't cash in on the Higgins sweepstakes.
For one, Higgins, who has never had more than 80 catches or 10 touchdowns in a season, was quite expensive for a guy who has never been a number one wide receiver during his career. Another thing, the Patriots had too many holes on their roster to splurge most of their salary-cap space on one position.
That likely explains why Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report names Higgins' contract as one the Bengals could eventually regret, which is fortunately not something the Patriots will have to deal with.
Eliot Wolf made the right decision to pass on trading for Tee Higgins
If you look at what's going on in Cincinnati early in training camp, it's a mess. The Bengals shelled out a lot of money to keep Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase around, but pass rusher Trey Hendrickson is unhappy and is seeking a new deal. The Bengals had one of the worst defenses in the league last season, allowing more than 25 points per game.
Even if the Patriots had tried to trade for Higgins before he signed his new contract, he would've demanded a new, large deal, and the Bengals would've wanted a ton of draft capital. Mortgaging the future for one player - and no Eliot Wolf, don't do it for Micah Parsons either - isn't worth it, given the salary cap nightmare.
Higgins' injury history also raised some red flags, and the Patriots need guys to stay on the field. You also have to wonder if a guy like Higgins fits the no-nonsense mold that Mike Vrabel is building in New England. The Bengals' strategy of putting all their eggs into their offense will ultimately backfire, especially with Joe Burrow, Higgins, and Chase now locked into expensive long-term deals with substantial guaranteed money.
Diggs is relishing the Patriot Way, and it wouldn't be a shock if he has a better season than Higgins does with the Bengals.