The New England Patriots made some splashes in free agency this offseason, attacking last season’s 21st ranked offense with fervour – including adding Philadelphia Eagles‘ breakout defensive lineman, Milton Williams, in a massive 4 year, $104 million deal.
The offense, however, has remained strangely untouched – despite being the far worse of the two units last season, ranking 31st in total offense.
Up until the end of February, the Patriots’ number one trade target was Cincinnati Bengals’ WR2, Tee Higgins, who was franchise tagged for the second consecutive year at the beginning of March.
Tee Higgins Signs New Deal After Patriots Miss Out On Him
Higgins signed a 4 year, $115 deal on Sunday, and was evidently pleased at the outcome. Not one to normally mince his words, the former Clemson star had a very to-the-point response to his brand new contract on an ultra-short post on X.
🤝
— Tee Higgins⁵ (@teehiggins5) March 17, 2025
A single handshake emoji was all Higgins needed to share at the relief of finally getting his long term deal sorted after nearly 3 years of negotiations.
After a deal was struck for the Bengals’ #1 option, Ja’Marr Chase, to the tune of 4 year, $161 million deal – $0.25 million more than the previous record for a non-QB set by Cleveland Browns defensive end, Myles Garrett – many were not sure if the team would manage to come to an agreement with Higgins this offseason, or if he would have to play out a second straight season on the dreaded franchise tag.
But the normally-frugal Bengals managed to splurge for two of their brightest and best young stars in the peak of their powers, and kept both of Joe Burrow’s top receiving weapons.
What Will The Patriots’ Offensive Strategy Be For The Rest Of The Offseason?
As for New England, things are not looking so good at receiver. The general lack of major offensive spending – minus the acquisition of right tackle, Morgan Moses – implies that the team will drive its focus on that side of the ball come draft day.
Whilst the Patriots’ 4th overall pick is widely considered to currently be a choice between the powerful Armand Membou, or LSU’s elite left tackle, Will Campbell, the team’s second round pick at #38 will likely come in the form of an offensive weapon.
Wary of messing up yet another early second round selection; New England selected Ja’Lynn Polk with the 37th pick in 2024, only for him to manage just 87 receiving yards on the entire season; the Pats could conceivably look to trade up into the latter part of the first round of the draft in order to secure a higher-end talent like Emeka Egbuka or Luther Burden III, both of whom may be gone by the start of Day 2.
The Patriots already have reasonably good depth at the position. Both DeMario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte proved themselves to be competent role players on the team with strong production in 2024 – certainly for second year, sixth round picks.
Kendrick Bourne is a proven commodity in the slot, even if he did miss time in 2023 and 2024 due to injury. And Polk, plus last year’s fourth round pick, Javon Baker, both have an opportunity to take that second year leap and show they can be starting caliber players in the league.
New England just needs a #1 receiver, and with options more or less finished in free agency, the team will have to hope they strike iron in the draft.
