The Green Bay Packers may target a pass-catcher this offseason, and they have options.
Davante Adams keeps dropping possible hints, DK Metcalf's name continues to come up as a potential trade or cut candidate for the Seattle Seahawks, and several wide receivers dominated at the Senior Bowl.
Tee Higgins is the top name to watch in free agency.
The Packers were heavily criticized for drafting Jordan Love over Higgins five years ago, although that decision has turned out just fine. It would be fitting for Green Bay to end up with both players.
It could happen. The Packers have the salary cap flexibility to make an aggressive move in free agency. However, the latest contract projections don't bode well.
Packers can pretty much forget about landing Tee Higgins in free agency
The Packers don't typically spend big money on wide receivers unless it's to re-sign their own players. Sure, they also don't sign free-agent running backs, but they made an exception for Josh Jacobs. However, that contract ended up far more team-friendly than initially expected.
Don't expect the same if Higgins hits free agency. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Higgins' next deal could surpass $30 million per year.
"The lowest estimate I heard was somewhere slightly above DeVonta Smith's three-year, $75 million deal," writes Fowler. "The rest saw him breaking into the $30 million range, based on his status as a No. 1-caliber receiver and the number of teams desperate for pass-catching help."
*Brian Gutekunst has left the chat.*
Higgins is a great player and would immediately become the Packers' best receiver. But for $30 million per year? Yeah, that's not going to happen.
For perspective, six NFL wide receivers are averaging $30 million or more per year: Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, A.J. Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Brandon Aiyuk, and Tyreek Hill.
Player | 1,000-yard seasons | Pro Bowls |
|---|---|---|
Justin Jefferson | 5 | 4 |
CeeDee Lamb | 4 | 4 |
A.J. Brown | 5 | 3 |
Amon-Ra St. Brown | 3 | 3 |
Brandon Aiyuk | 2 | 0 |
Tyreek Hill | 6 | 8 |
Tee Higgins | 2 | 0 |
All of them except Aiyuk have more 1,000-yard seasons and Pro Bowls than Higgins. He's played alongside Ja'Marr Chase, which lowers his target share, but that's kind of the point. Chase is the Cincinnati Bengals' best wide receiver, not Higgins.
While Higgins is an outstanding receiver, he isn't among the top five in the NFL.
He is clearly the best pass-catcher set to hit free agency, which will only drive up his price. The Packers can use their cap space to fix other areas of need while adding a receiver elsewhere.
Yes, Higgins would help the Packers' offense, but the chances of Gutekunst paying $30 million-plus per year are slim to none.