The 2025 free agency window is up and running.
Teams have begun making roster moves and addressing key needs, but some still need to strengthen their lineup -such as the New England Patriots.
The Patriots have a clear need for a No. 1 wide receiver. Several promising options were available on the market, but none of those opportunities materialized in their favor.
Top target Chris Godwin re-signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Davante Adams is heading to the Los Angeles Rams, and the Seattle Seahawks traded DK Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
There was still hope the Patriots could land an elite wideout in Tee Higgins, but recent reports indicate the task has gotten even tougher.
The Cincinnati Bengals used the franchise tag on Higgins for the second year in a row, possibly making it possible for New England to explore a tag and trade deal for the 26-year-old.
However, in a post on X, NFL Networks' Ian Rapoport said that the Bengals "have made significant progress" on giving a big contract extension to Higgins that could be made official within the next few days.
The #Bengals have made significant progress on massive contract extensions with star WRs Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and both could be finalized in the coming days, sources tell me and @TomPelissero.
There is work to be done. But Joe Burrow's wish is close to coming true. pic.twitter.com/rcIq2HHDiz
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2025
If Higgins extends his contract, it will officially close the door to heading to New England for the time being, adding to the growing list of other top wide receivers signing elsewhere.
The Patriots still have a chance to secure a star wide receiver in the 2025 NFL draft.
Missouri's Luther Burden III, Texas' Matthew Golden, and Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan are the best draft wideouts. New England will have the No. 4 overall pick, and the mentioned players are expected to still be on the board when it's the Patriots' turn to lock in their pick.
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This story was originally published March 17, 2025 at 1:30 AM.