The Carolina Panthers enter an offseason with clarity and momentum. With general manager Dan Morgan, head coach Dave Canales and quarterback Bryce Young firmly in place, the team is ready to make significant moves to accelerate their rebuild. ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky thinks one of those moves should be a spectacular acquisition: signing Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Tee Higgins.
Why Tee Higgins makes sense for Carolina
Higgins, who played the 2024 season under the franchise tag, has become a popular name in Panthers circles. With the Bengals committed to a $275 million contract for quarterback Joe Burrow and expecting to extend star receiver Ja’Marr Chase, Higgins is likely to find himself on the open market.
Higgins’ talent as a proven WR1 could immediately transform the Panthers’ aerial attack. In 2024, it recorded:
- 73 receptions
- 911 yards
- 10 touchdowns (in just 12 matches)
During his five-year NFL career, Higgins accumulated 330 receptions, 4,595 yards and 34 touchdowns, solidifying his reputation as a reliable and dynamic player. Pairing Higgins with Bryce Young would give the Panthers a game-changing weapon and help solve the lingering issues in their aerial attack.
The Panthers’ need for a true WR1
Although first-round pick Xavier Legette and undrafted rookie Jalen Coker have shown flashes of potential, neither appears to be a trustworthy receiver. Adding a proven star like Higgins would give Young a reliable target and ease pressure on the young quarterback as he develops.
Higgins’ size, ability to run routes, and ability to win contested receptions would complement Carolina’s offense perfectly, giving them a core piece to rely on in the passing game. As Orlovsky noted, Higgins would “exactly the type of player Carolina needs to accelerate their rebuild.”
-The financial landscape
After years of going through coaches and quarterbacks, the Panthers now have the opportunity to invest in a star player. Last season, they showed their willingness to spend big by signing offensive lineman Robert Hunt to a $100 million contract. With Bryce Young on a rookie contract, Caroline has the financial flexibility to pull off a similar move.
Potential obstacles
Acquiring Higgins won’t come cheap. With his production and potential, Higgins is likely to command a contract in the $20-25 million per year range. The Panthers will also face competition from other teams in need of receivers, making it crucial for Carolina to act decisively.
A Game Changer for Carolina
If the Panthers want to take advantage of Bryce Young’s rookie contract window and make a real push for the playoffs, signing a top receiver like Higgins could be key. He would not only elevate Young’s performance, but also give Caroline’s offense an identity and a foundation for sustained success.
This offseason could be the one where the Panthers finally make a bold move to cement themselves as contenders in the NFC South. Adding Tee Higgins would be a huge step in the right direction.
